March 20, 2025 — On behalf of the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), CEO Kathlene Campbell, Ph.D., issued the following statement in response to the current Administration’s decimation of the U.S. Department of Education:
The current and proposed further decimation of staffing at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) would be a severe setback for our education system, including for teacher preparation programs that are vital in addressing the teacher shortage by preparing future educators. As professionals committed to training teachers, we believe dismantling the ED would erode critical resources and support that help strengthen America’s education system.
Teacher preparation programs rely on consistent federal funding for research, grants, and scholarships to train and develop future educators. This funding supports innovative teaching methods; specialized training for effectively teaching science and math, as well as early childhood education and special education; and financial aid for students pursuing teaching careers. Closing the ED would eliminate these essential resources, creating financial strain on programs and limiting opportunities for students—especially those from underserved communities, including rural, suburban, and urban areas—who aspire to become educators.
While the Administration proposes block grants to states, this approach lacks federal oversight and accountability, allowing funds to be misallocated or diverted away from public education. Without ED oversight, there is no guarantee that federal funds will be used effectively to meet the nation’s educational priorities, leaving students with fewer resources and less support.
Moreover, the closure of the ED would undermine public trust in the federal government’s commitment to education. The Department’s role is integral to ensuring that federal funds support critical programs such as Title I which serves 26 million low-income students, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) for 7.4 million students with disabilities, and aid for rural schools that serve 9.8 million students and depend on federal support to fill funding gaps. In many states, federal funding is a significant portion of the education budget, and eliminating the ED would devastate the most vulnerable students.
For the future of our students, teachers, and the nation, we strongly oppose efforts to diminish the U.S. Department of Education and urge policymakers to recognize its essential role in supporting teacher preparation programs and the broader educational system.