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What role should the federal government play in education?”
The federal government plays a vital role in supporting public education, especially for students who need the most support. Whether it’s ensuring equal access to resources, protecting the rights of students with disabilities, or expanding opportunities for students from low-income families, that role matters in classrooms across Indiana every day.
Today, nearly 90% of Hoosier students attend public schools. These students rely on vital federal supports delivered through the Department of Education. Whether Title I funding helps schools in low-income areas, services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Pell Grants that make college attainable for working-class families, federal programs are woven into the fabric of Indiana’s education system.
In Indiana, more than 374,000 students benefit from Title I programs, and over 70,000 English learners receive services through federally supported language instruction programs. Indiana receives more than $280 million annually through Title I alone, along with millions more for special education, educator training, student mental health and academic enrichment. Without a centralized agency to coordinate and enforce these programs, students and schools risk losing access to consistent and equitable support.
Some have voiced support for shifting more control of education funding to the states. Indiana has made progress in student achievement, and we all share a commitment to building on that success. However, it is important to remember that the Education Department exists in part to ensure that progress reaches every student, especially those whose needs might not always be met through local funding or policy decisions alone.
Dismantling the department or redistributing its responsibilities across unrelated agencies might create gaps in service, confusion for families and weakened protections for students with disabilities. Transferring oversight of IDEA or Pell Grants to agencies without education expertise could undermine the progress we all want to see.
We are calling for a continued commitment to ensuring that every child, including the approximately 188,000 Indiana students with disabilities, gets the public education they deserve. We believe in the power of local leadership, but we also believe in federal guardrails that protect opportunity and fairness across all communities.
Indiana’s educators, parents and students are united in their desire to strengthen public education. To achieve that goal, the federal government must remain a reliable partner in ensuring educational equity, protecting students’ rights and supporting programs that help all learners thrive. Now is the time to invest in public schools, not walk away from them.•
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Gambill is a middle school music and drama teacher in Evansville and the Indiana State Teachers Association president. Send comments to [email protected].
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