AFGE Local 252 Statement on ED Offices Being Moved Unlawfully to Other Federal Agencies

Posted byAFGE252Posted inOfficial Statements

November 18, 2025

Media contact: Dorie Turner Nolt, dorie.turner@gmail.com, 404-861-1127

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252, which represents more than 2,700 U.S. Department of Education employees, released the following statement from AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman:

“This latest ploy by the Trump Administration to dismantle the Congressionally created U.S. Department of Education is not only unlawful — it’s an insult to the tens of millions of students who rely on the agency to protect their access to a quality education. Students, educators, and families depend on the Department’s comprehensive support for schools, from early learning through graduate programs. That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff. This move comes as the Administration has attempted to fire large numbers of career public servants in these very offices — and is now trying to shift their critical work to agencies with no educational expertise. Breaking apart the Department of Education and moving its responsibilities elsewhere will only create more confusion for schools and colleges, deepen public distrust, and ultimately harm students and families.”

Education by the numbers:

  • 870,000 first-generation and low-income students served under the college accessibility program, TRIO
  • 26 million students from low-income backgrounds served under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
  • 9.8 million students enrolled in rural schools 
  • 7.4 million students with disabilities served by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • 5 million English learner students served under Title III of ESEA
  • 1.1 million students experiencing homelessness served by the McKinney-Vento program
  • Nearly 800,000 children living near military bases, Native American reservations, and  other Federal properties served by Impact Aid
  • More than 1 million students served in Full-Service Community Schools  
  • 200,000 students served by 21st Century Community Learning Centers  
  • 87 million students and parents receiving federal student aid
  • 6.6 million Pell Grant recipients
  • 8.1 million secondary and 3.3 million postsecondary students served in Perkins career technical education
  • 1.2 million out-of-school youth and adult learners served under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

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