Ann Porter, Grand Forks

I recently contacted Representative Julie Fedorchak to express my concerns about proposals to phase out the U.S. Department of Education. While I appreciate her response, I remain troubled by the practical implications of this initiative.​

Congress can appropriate federal education funds, but without a centralized agency to administer and oversee them, how can we ensure they are used as intended? The Department of Education plays a vital role in monitoring spending, safeguarding civil rights, and protecting access to quality education for low-income students, students with disabilities, and others who often fall through the cracks.​

Representative Fedorchak’s letter reassures constituents that funding will remain intact. However, it offers no clear explanation of how accountability will be maintained or what mechanisms will replace the Department’s oversight functions. Moreover, it does not provide evidence that eliminating the Department would improve educational outcomes, especially when factors such as poverty, local tax revenue, and community support significantly affect student performance.​

I support local control and strong community schools. However, we must not abandon federal oversight that ensures fairness and consistency across all states. Dismantling the Department of Education risks turning our national commitment to equitable education into a patchwork of uneven policies and outcomes.​