Today, the Department of Education announced mass layoffs impacting nearly half its workforce.

In response, Diana Thu-Thao Rhodes, Vice President of Policy, Partnerships and Organizing at national sex education and youth activism organization Advocates for Youth), issued the following statement:

“With this attempt to gut the Department of Education by laying off its workforce, the Trump Administration furthers its campaign against educators and young people nationwide. 

The U.S. Department of Education exists for a reason: to build toward a future where every student, in every state, has full access to an education that allows them to thrive. That future is not attainable without classroom materials that include diverse perspectives and acknowledge the role race and gender play in shaping identity, society, and health outcomes. Every young person should feel represented in the classroom. 

The U.S. Department of Education also plays a critical role in protecting students’ civil rights. Student survivors of sexual violence, pregnant and parenting students, and LGBTQ+ students deserve leaders who will defend their right to an education and stand up for their access to accommodations, support and care. 

Congress created the Department of Education, and only Congress has the power to close it. Congress must defend the Department of Education and its ability to protect and expand students’ civil rights. ”

 

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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: March 6, 2025

Contact: Eleanor Naiman, eleanor.naiman@advocatesforyouth.org