ACT Now’s Response to the Department of Education Executive Order
Dear Coalition Members,
Yesterday, March 20th, 2025, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) asking the Secretary of Education to take steps to close the U.S. Department of Education. As afterschool programs and community schools are critical, data-driven strategies to support students’ educational success and are funded through this department, ACT Now is closely following this issue.
The EO requires the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take the following actions:
- “To the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely” and,
- “Ensure that the allocation of any Federal Department of Education funds is subject to rigorous compliance with Federal law and Administration policy, including the requirement that any program or activity receiving Federal assistance terminate illegal discrimination obscured under the label “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or similar terms and programs promoting gender ideology.”
Eliminating or dismantling the U.S. Department of Education would be a complex process involving significant legal and other challenges. Legal opinions have suggested that the U.S. Department of Education cannot be eliminated by Executive Order alone. While it is possible that the Administration could move some U.S. Department of Education programs to other agencies, or shift some authorities to states, both chambers of Congress would have to pass, and the President would have to sign a law to do so. While Republicans hold the majority in both chambers, they do so with only narrow margins. Passing a bill through the Senate requires a 60-vote majority, and with Republicans currently holding 53 seats, passing this legislation would require considerable bipartisan support. Legal challenges to the order are already underway.
Federal support for local afterschool and summer programs will be impacted; however, major sources of funding are mandated by law and therefore not under the order for immediate elimination. This includes the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, mandated under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and other sources of funding for afterschool and summer programs through Title I, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, Full-Service Community Schools, and Title IV Part A.
I know that to the people receiving this email almost nothing is more important than the success of the children in Illinois. For over 20 years, we have worked together to advocate for quality programs that help kids learn and grow. We will work tirelessly to ensure that work continues.
Currently, Illinois receives $54.2 million for 21st CCLC programming and $21.61 million from Full-Service Community Schools annually. Children, families, and schools are counting on this funding and we must preserve it.
Please continue to follow our newsletter to determine how you can take action. You can send our federal action alert to share the importance of this funding with your federal legislators here.
While this is a federal issue, it is clear that our programs and infrastructure are in jeopardy. We need to efficiently use every resource at our disposal. The current funding of $50 million appropriated for Afterschool in the FY25 state budget must be released immediately. Our programs are under attack and state leaders must do everything they can to protect them. Please send this message to the Governor and legislators here.
In Solidarity,
Susan Stanton
ACT Now Executive Director
