At schools across the nation on March 19 teachers, and others gathered outside before the start of classes to stage a "Walk-In" demonstration, meant to express their opposition to changes being made to the Department of Education by the Trump administration.

The dismantling of the Department of Education will have multiple impacts.

Potential Negative Impacts

1. Loss of Federal Funding: Many schools, especially those in under-resourced areas, rely on federal funding provided by the Department of Education. Without it, these schools might struggle to meet basic needs.

2. Equity Concerns: The department plays a role in ensuring equal access to education, particularly for marginalized groups, including students with disabilities and low-income families. Its removal could exacerbate disparities.

3. Student Loan Management: The department oversees federal student loans and grants. Eliminating it could disrupt these programs, leaving students uncertain about financial aid.

4. Civil Rights Protections: The department enforces civil rights laws in education. Without it, there might be less accountability for discrimination in schools.

Potential Positive Impacts:

1. Decentralization: Education decisions could be made at the state or local level, allowing for more tailored approaches to community needs.

2. Cost Savings: Abolishing the department could reduce federal spending, though the savings might be offset by inefficiencies at state levels.

3. Curriculum Flexibility: States might have more freedom to design curricula without federal oversight.

Denny Middle School Para-educator Shannon Williams said, "Different states will decide how they want to use the money. This is the goal to do things like not have gender neutral bathrooms, not have a supportive atmosphere for different kinds of kids. The 10% of the education money that we get from the Department of Ed, 90% comes from the state. The 10% pays for IDEA, which is a special education plan, a federal one. So, it pays for things that help kids who need extra help. It also pays for low-income schools to get a little extra funding for things like food and we have a clothes closet here. It pays for anything that doesn't support mainstream students and families. And there's a lot of families who aren't exactly mainstream. That 10% does a huge amount. Without it, there'll be a lot of students and families that will not get the support they need to get a good education."

Special Education teacher Janiken Johnsen said, "As a special education teacher it will mean drastic cuts to services. Right now, my classroom is nine students and one teacher and one special education assistant. With with the possible cuts of over 6,000 personnel, ikely that will be in special education, I see more students per classes not being able to meet their special education needs because there are so many kids."

What does that mean when they won't be able to meet their needs? 

Johnsen continued, "They don't learn to the same level. So our kids are already behind academically, socially and and so forth, right? So they require more intense support in order to learn. I have to work with kids one-to-one. A lot of times in order for kids to make progress in their educational goals, but you know, if I've got 30 students sitting in my class, I'm not going to be able to provide those needs, We're a Title One school. We provide additional support for kids due to poverty, you know, and to to other effects of poverty. So, the kids are not necessarily at grade level. We provide extra support for those students in reading and math. Those are provided by Title One funds. We're not going to have those funds... Our student body is really diverse and and we provide lots of extra services for kids in order to meet their needs. We have family support for our immigrant kids and so forth. I know when Trump took office in 2016, we had kids crying in the halls because they were worried about their families. This will be the worst. If you look at what their goal is, it is to privatize education. You Just need to look at Project 2025 to see that."

West Seattle resident Anne Martin said, "People who need the support of the public system that helps us all think and be critical. Those are the people who can't afford to pay for private education who will be hurt by cuts to public education."