AFT President Criticizes Transfer of Education Functions to Other Departments

Key Education Functions Shift to New Departments, Sparking Concerns

WASHINGTON—Significant structural changes are underway within the federal government, as the Department of Education announces the transfer of two of its core responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. This move has prompted a strong reaction from educational leaders.

AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed deep concern, stating, “Today’s moves are a dagger to the heart of what the Department of Education was always supposed to do: protect the most vulnerable.” She highlighted potential negative impacts on students with disabilities, who may now face an uncertain future under the jurisdiction of a department led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy is a controversial figure, notably for his stance on vaccines and autism.

Weingarten also raised alarms about the implications for students facing civil rights violations. She criticized the shift of these responsibilities to a department she described as “unqualified” and lacking resources, one that she perceives as being primarily focused on political prosecutions.

Despite the administration’s actions, Weingarten emphasized that Congress remains the sole authority capable of legally enacting such changes. She noted that lawmakers have resisted efforts by the White House to dismantle the Department of Education. In response, communities including parents, educators, and civil rights advocates are mobilizing to oppose the changes through various means, including legal challenges and political activism.

The AFT, representing a broad spectrum of educators and related professionals across the nation, is committed to advocating for the rights and needs of its 1.8 million members, which include pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, higher education faculty, and healthcare workers.