AFT Massachusetts Slams White House for Holding the Neediest Students Hostage in Attempt to Take Over Local School Oversight (April 3, 2025).
AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to a memo from the U.S. Department of Education threatening to withdraw billions of dollars in Title I support for low-income students if school districts fail to enact the White House’s divisive policy agenda:
“Holding hostage funding that supports our poorest, neediest children to coerce schools into letting the federal government supersede local authority on curriculum is not only heartless, but it's antithetical to their justification for dismantling the Department of Education. They claim they want to give states and local governments the ability to oversee education -- a power our state and local school boards already have. Now, they're trying to insert themselves into the schools and undermine that local control.
“This hypocrisy and contradiction will continue to sow chaos in our public schools and is in direct conflict with our belief in safe and welcoming schools. This vague language may be designed to have a chilling effect, but we remain committed to ensuring our students are celebrated for their diversity, have equitable access to opportunities, and can learn in inclusive environments.”