When reflecting on my journey from being an undocumented student arriving in the U.S. without knowing English to serving as Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) at the U.S. Department of Education under the Biden Administration, I am reminded of the transformative power of public education. My experiences in Austin, Texas public schools, where dedicated educators supported me in embracing my heritage, culture, and language, have shaped my belief in the impact of education on students' lives.
I was a bilingual pre-kindergarten educator for eight years while pursuing my National Board Certification and obtaining my master’s degree in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas at Austin due to the federal National Professional Development (NPD) program. I am beyond grateful that OELA has played a pivotal role in my professional growth and empowerment to make a difference in the field of education. Becoming an active member and vice president of Education Austin, a merged union with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, taught me the importance of organizing, collaboration and advocating for positive change within the education sector.
Despite recent challenges and setbacks, including concerning executive orders, it is crucial to remember our resilience as a community. The education community, comprising educators, administrators, union leaders, students, and parents, has weathered storms before and emerged stronger. Upholding our commitment to progress and unity, I remain steadfast in my advocacy for English Learners and their families, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their American Dream.
In times of uncertainty, it is vital to hold onto hope and continue our efforts towards a brighter future. By standing together, organizing, and advocating for our beliefs, we can navigate through challenges and safeguard the values we hold dear. Our collective voice and determination will guide us through these turbulent times, reaffirming our dedication to inclusive education and community empowerment.
What Has Happened
The past 11 weeks have been challenging as we faced a series of executive orders rolling back progress in our nation. Educators, administrators, students, and parents are grappling with the impact, feeling the weight of the decisions made by the current administration. Despite the setbacks, we have weathered storms before, standing strong in the face of adversity.
On January 20, the administration repealed programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), leading to the cancellation of over $600 million in grants to educational institutions. Fortunately, we are starting to see the power of organizing by the filing of different litigations. On Tuesday, March 18, Judge Julie R. Rubin of the federal District Court for the District of Maryland said in her opinion that the department had acted arbitrarily and illegally when it gutted the grants to help put teachers into underserved schools. The judge also ordered the administration to stop any future cuts to those grants. We must keep vigilant on all the changes that are taking place.
Also on January 20, the administration rescinded the sensitive location memo that protected certain areas such as schools, churches and hospitals from immigration enforcement. This executive order brought even more chaos to the lives of students, families and educators. The National Immigration Law Center, Immigrant Connections, and other organizations have rolled up their sleeves and are sharing information to protect families.
On March 1, an executive order made English the official language of the United States, overturning previous guidelines aimed at enhancing accessibility for non-native English speakers. In 2000, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13166 to improve access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency. While this shift poses challenges, the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice’s Dear Colleague Letter from January 2015 is still alive and will continue to support English learners and their families, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in a language they understand.
On March 11, the U.S. Department of Education implemented a reduction in force affecting almost half of its workforce, leading to significant changes. OELA underwent substantial restructuring, resulting in the departure of 16 employees except for one individual, causing disruptions across various crucial programs. This shift has particularly impacted the Title III Formula grants, the National Development (NPD) program, the Native American and Alaskan Native Children (NAM) in school program, and the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition website, all of which relied on OELA for technical support, service provision, and grantee monitoring. The essential role played by OELA in supporting 5.3 million English Learners, fostering educational excellence, and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity for global competitiveness cannot be understated. The recent developments have raised concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of these programs in providing equitable learning environments for English Learners.
As far as we know, communication has been nonexistent and there has been no transparency from the U.S. Department of Education about the future of Title III. The Title III State Directors from 50 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. have been left in the dark about their funding, technical assistance, compliance and monitoring. The National English Learners Roundtable, which consists of over twenty organizations (NABE, UnidosUS, CAL, TESOL, ACTFL, NEA, etc.), submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to inquire about the status of OELA as an office, Title III State Formula grants, discretionary grants and the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition. The letter conveyed the urgency of prompt oversight and restore of OELA’s programs and office.
Finally, a few days ago on March 20, the President issued an executive order aiming to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. It is crucial to clarify that the administration lacks the legal authority to abolish the Department of Education unilaterally; only Congress can enact such a change. Moreover, the move signals a desire to diminish the federal Department of Education's oversight role in ensuring states comply with education laws designed to guarantee universal access to quality public education. In an attempt to bypass Congress and enforce an unpopular agenda on the American people, there is concern that teachers may find it challenging to assist struggling students and hinder children from accessing necessary services. The U.S. Department of Education, established by President Carter in 1979, aimed to enhance federal funding in education, ensuring equal educational opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and English Learners who faced disparities in basic needs, funding, and civil rights protection across various states.
What can we do?
Each individual has the capacity to enact change. Here are some actionable steps to begin making a difference:
If eligible, make sure you are registered to VOTE.
Exercise caution to prevent the spread of misinformation by fact-checking news.
Engage with your congressional representatives and senators by calling and writing to them. Find out who represents you!
You can make specific calls to your congressional representatives in support of OELA and Title III funding. Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) put together a call to action with an effective sample call script.
Schedule a meeting in person with your congressperson and ask them to support concrete actions to support students and public schools. The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) provides an example of thoughtful policies and practices of federal policy work, which you can read here.
Participate in rallies, protests, and town hall meetings to amplify your voice.
Inform yourself with a variety of resources to assist your students and their families, for example, from Immigrant Connections or the National Immigration Law Center.
Utilize social media to share videos articulating your opposition to dismantling the Department of Education. Share personal anecdotes highlighting how the Department has supported you through financial aid, grants, funding, and programs. Remember to include the hashtags #SpeakUpForED and #EDMatters.
Amidst these uncertain times, it is crucial to remember that we are not alone. Together, we hold the collective power to organize, advocate, and act for our community, especially for those most in need, like our 5.3 million English Learners and their families.