No U.S. Department of Education (ED)? It’s not just students who will lose out. Consider this:  Without essential federal funding, Americans will face higher property taxes, lower home values, fewer job training programs, and a weaker workforce. It’s an economic disaster waiting to happen. Are you ready for the consequences?

Property values drop when public schools lose funding

• Public schools rely on federal funding, especially Title I schools in high-poverty districts. This would leave local governments in disarray and result in increased property taxes to fill the gap.
• Higher property taxes could increase rent and mortgage payments. If area schools lack funding, property values could drop, making it harder to sell your home or get a good return on investment.

Workforce and job training programs disappear, making career shifts harder

• Federal workforce development programs help people get training for better jobs. They’re at risk.
• Deep cuts to federal investments would harm key programs like Pell Grants for trade school, vocational training, and GEDs are at risk if there are deep cuts to federal funding, making it harder to learn new skills or switch careers.

If you own a business, good luck finding qualified employees

• Business owners and corporations rely on an educated workforce to stay competitive. Without strong public schools and federal support for higher education, companies may struggle to find skilled workers.
• A decline in educational standards and funding could hurt America’s global competitiveness in fields like STEM and healthcare, forcing companies to rely more on skilled workers from other countries.

Even if you’re not a student, your loved ones may want to go to college and have to rely on federal aid

• Without ED oversight, states or private lenders could charge higher interest rates for student loans, making college even more expensive, or subject students to predatory lenders.
• This could result in more young adults dropping out, moving back home, or struggling with long-term debt.

Closing ED will have a major impact on your community

• If ED is eliminated, public schools in high-poverty districts could face teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and fewer resources—and many schools will be forced to close.
• This could lead to higher crime rates and lower economic mobility, affecting the safety and stability of your neighborhood.

Bottom Line: Even if you’re not a student, the Department of Ed affects YOU

• Cutting the Department of Education isn’t about “efficiency” or cutting bureaucracy. Eliminating ED would have dire financial consequences and long-term societal effects for everyone.

In other words, every American will be impacted if the Department of Education closes—including you. So, don’t think this is no big deal — because it is. Remember, it will take an act of Congress to dismantle the Department, so contact your congresspeople and tell them to protect the Department of Education — and protect America’s future.