20 Mar President Trump’s Order to Dismantle ED: Our Statement
President Trump signed an Executive Order today to dismantle much of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). “The order is an affront to our children and the future of our country,” said Jessica Lee, Co-Director of WorkLife Law and Co-Founder of WorkLife Law’s Pregnant Scholar Initiative. “While the Trump administration is not legally permitted to shut down the Department of Education, this order will accelerate major cuts that will shutter much of the Department’s work in practice—harming students and entire communities.”
Particularly relevant to the pregnant and parenting students that WorkLife Law’s Pregnant Scholar initiative serves is the Department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Prior to the second Trump administration, OCR enforced Title IX protections and offered guidance to schools on how to prevent discrimination. OCR has now reportedly stopped its work investigating Title IX complaints brought by pregnant students and others, with most regional offices abruptly closed and many thousands of open cases left in limbo.
“Pregnant students rely on Title IX rights to help them stay safe and continue their studies,” said Lee. “Students need robust enforcement of Title IX at the Department of Education, not a shutdown which will only result in more pregnant students being forced to choose between their health and their degree.”
In addition to protecting pregnant and parenting students from discrimination, the Department of Education also administers several services that enable students of all income levels and backgrounds to access a college education. For example, the Department administers federal student aid, ensures disability accommodations are provided, and provides grants for student parents to access childcare. Further, the Department of Education collects critical data on the number of student parents in higher education; without these data, it will be challenging to know how many parenting students remain enrolled and whether they’re progressing to their degrees.
WorkLife Law will continue to fight to ensure pregnant and parenting students can get the education they need to provide a bright future for their families. College administrators and students who need assistance understanding their rights and obligations under the law can contact the Pregnant Scholar Helpline.
