#United States #ACTFL #Alexandria #Education #U.S. Department of Education

ACTFL Condemns Staff Reductions at the U.S. Department of Education

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has made a bold statement against the drastic decision to cut nearly half of the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education. This decision, directed from the White House on March 11, 2025, was met with immediate condemnation from ACTFL and other educational advocates across the nation.

The announcement has raised serious concerns regarding the future of education, especially for vulnerable and disadvantaged students who depend on resources provided by the Department of Education. According to ACTFL, the elimination of approximately 2,000 staff members marks a striking blow to the educational framework that supports millions of students and educators alike.

ACTFL Executive Director Dr. Lawrence M. Paska noted the importance of the Department of Education in ensuring access to essential programs and funding. He emphasized the need for a robust national agency that can provide comprehensive support to both state and local education systems. Losing such a significant number of staff means that vital programs which aid educational equality and excellence will face serious obstacles in implementation.

“This destruction of the Department of Education will remove national accountability,” Dr. Paska stated. “The services and resources that our ACTFL members, their learners, and families rely upon are now at risk.”

The cuts come at a time when the department has already been monitoring budget strains, pausing some grants and halting civil rights initiatives ahead of this mass staff reduction. This raises questions about the long-term effects on America’s educational landscape, particularly for pre-K through college. Some critical facts add to the gravity of this situation:

• - Annually, the U.S. Department of Education ensures that more than 50 million elementary and secondary students receive necessary support.
• - Roughly 12 million K-12 and postsecondary students are enrolled in career and technical education programs, a federally supported initiative critical to workforce readiness.
• - Approximately 7.5 million special education students rely on guidelines established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensuring they receive the necessary accommodations for a fair chance at education.
• - A significant number of college students — about one-third — rely on Pell Grants for their higher education targeting lower-income families, without which many would face dire financial challenges.

ACTFL President Milton Alan Turner expressed deep concern for the broad impact on students from diverse backgrounds. “It is difficult to imagine the dangerous and widespread impact that this action will have on all of our children and their families,” he said.

The potential shift of educational responsibilities back to the states — a long-seeded intent of the Trump Administration — could further complicate matters, risking access to resources crucial for all learners. ACTFL firmly believes that education cannot simply revert to a state-by-state approach. Rather, it must be supported by a centralized system that guarantees accountability and equal access.

“The notion that education can just be transferred back to states is a clear misconception,” said a representative of ACTFL. “The Department of Education plays a key role in enabling states to provide foundational programs. Without this support, the risk of educational inequality will escalate.”

ACTFL has called upon the White House to reconsider this damaging decision, urging Congress to protect and maintain the essential programs funded by the department. The organization insists that the courts must uphold the educational commitments set forth in the Constitution to ensure the comprehensive growth of future generations.

Founded in 1967, ACTFL serves over 11,000 language educators and has become synonymous with leadership in innovation and quality in language education. By advocating for effective language teaching practices and supporting educators, ACTFL continues to drive forward the importance of multilingual education in the U.S. education system and beyond.

In conclusion, the repercussions of such cuts could extend far beyond immediate staffing numbers; they could profoundly affect the educational experiences and opportunities for millions of American children. ACTFL stands firm against these changes, promoting a collaborative effort to safeguard education resources necessary for all students to thrive in an increasingly global society.