Department of Education, Students Under Attack

This week, President Trump announced plans to further dismantle the Department of Education by moving billions of dollars in grant programs and key functions to other agencies with no expertise to meet the needs of students. 

In response, Emma Grasso Levine, Senior Manager of Title IX Policy and Programs at Know Your IX (a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth), issued the following statement:

“The federal government has shirked its duty to ensure every young person receives a quality education. By gutting the Department of Education, the Trump administration continues its slew of attacks on children and families and makes life even harder for educators, school administrators, and students nationwide. President Trump clearly knows an informed electorate is the biggest threat to authoritarianism.

These illegal tactics only add bureaucratic barriers for schools and defy Congressional authority. This is an  attack on first generation students, parenting students, LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of sexual assault, and any school administrator or young person in need of protection and resources. As we condemn the dismantling of the Department of Education, we must work harder than ever to foster safe and supportive school environments where all young people can thrive in school.”

Advocates and student organizers are available for interviews to discuss attacks on Title IX and what they mean for students across the country.

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Advocates for Youth is a 501(c)3 organization that champions efforts that help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates for Youth boldly advocates for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health, focusing its work on young people ages 14-24 in the U.S. and around the globe.

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2025

Contact: Eleanor Naiman, [email protected]