AAUW Condemns Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

Action Jeopardizes Students‘ Futures; Congress Should Not Allow Further Cuts and 
Take Immediate Action to Protect Students 

Washington, D.C. — The American Association of University Women (AAUW) unequivocally condemns President Trump’s executive order “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities” dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

“This reckless and shortsighted action threatens to gut vital protections that ensure equal access to higher education and will have devastating consequences for students — especially women, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds — who rely on federal oversight for their right to an equitable education,” said Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of AAUW. “Eliminating the Department of Education would decimate federal civil rights enforcement, slash protections against gender-based discrimination, and roll back decades of progress toward making higher education accessible and affordable. This decision is not about streamlining government; it is about stripping students of their rights and futures.” 

Consequences of this action may include: 

• Low-income students may lose vital federal financial aid that makes it possible to earn their degrees; 
• Survivors of sexual harassment and assault on campus may see more Title IX cases dismissed and drastically weakened pathways to justice; 
• Students with disabilities could be left without critical safeguards to protect and enforce their rights in schools. 
• LGBTQ+ students who experience harassment and discrimination could face unsafe environments without their schools being held accountable; 
• Student loan borrowers may be more vulnerable to abuse by predatory for-profit colleges and noncompliant servicers while facing unaffordable repayments; 

AAUW urges Congress to speak out against this move and protect the Department from any further cuts that could hinder enforcement of federal civil rights laws protecting students and preserving access to higher education. The cost of inaction is too high, and the futures of millions of students — especially those from marginalized communities — hang in the balance. 

In response to these coordinated and continuing attacks on education in America, AAUW is launching The Defend Higher Education Fund to enable AAUW to elevate the critical higher education issues impacting women, mobilize advocates across the country, provide strategic resources to students, staff and faculty on campus, and fuel investments in the infrastructure and technology necessary to move our mission forward.  

Support to this fund ensures AAUW can effectively fight on behalf of women on campuses across the country and ensure that AAUW remains a trusted and powerful voice for equity. To give to the fund, please visit our website. 

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AAUW (American Association of University Women) is the nation’s leading organization for equity in higher education and women’s economic empowerment. Founded in 1881 by women who defied society’s conventions by earning college degrees, AAUW has since worked to increase women’s access, opportunity, and equity in higher education through advocacy and philanthropy of more than $146 million, supporting thousands of women scholars. Learn more at aauw.org.