Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is leading a legal challenge against the Trump administration’s proposal to dismantle the Department of Education. Ford argues that only Congress has the authority to abolish a federal department, emphasizing that any such action must be done lawfully. He is part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general seeking a court injunction to prevent the closure of the department, which they argue would severely impact educational services across the country.
Ford is particularly concerned about the potential loss of significant federal funding for Nevada, which has benefited from nearly $6 billion over the past five years. This funding supports initiatives such as Pell grants, special education services, and programs for homeless youth. He highlights his personal experience with Department of Education-funded programs as a testament to their importance.
Proponents of dismantling the Department of Education, like Valeria Gurr of the American Federation for Children, argue that the federal department has not effectively served states like Nevada, which consistently ranks poorly in education. They suggest that operational funds currently used by the department could be redirected to local initiatives such as increasing teacher salaries and reducing class sizes.
Despite acknowledging the need for change in the education system, Ford insists that dismantling the department is not the solution. He believes that addressing issues such as funding, parental involvement, and student engagement should be prioritized instead. Ford’s stance is that the Department of Education plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable student populations and that other methods should be explored to improve the education system without eliminating the department.