Donald Trump's education plan would redirect billions of dollars away from public schools to create a massive and risky voucher program, even though evidence shows that vouchers often hurt the kids they’re supposed to help. To pay for it, experts say support for schools that serve low-income students would be cut. And another likely source would be cuts to IDEA, which helps kids with disabilities. Many education and disability-rights groups have opposed Trump's new education Secretary Betsy DeVos, especially after she showed a stunning lack of understanding and support for laws that protect kids with disabilities. The good news is that Congress would have to approve Trump's cuts, and there is support across the political spectrum. With enough of an outcry, we can protect our public schools!

This bill eliminates the Elementary and Secondary Education Bill of 1965. If passed, it would redistribute Federal funds for public elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students; it would repeal a rule relating to nutrition standards in schools and would cut programs for special needs, advanced, and language learners.

It will destroy public education and negatively effect our children.

I'm a 5th grade teacher a local public school. This proposed charter school would divert scarce funds from the public school system into a program that offers nothing that the public schools are not already providing East Aurora’s students. The resources will be controlled by outsiders with no stake in East Aurora and have not been elected by taxpayers.

$1.4 billion is necessary for NYS school districts just to open the doors next year, yet the Executive Budget provides just $378 million for this purpose. This would underfund even a “roll-over” budget. Further concern arises from the Governor’s proposals to: - Repeal the Foundation Aid formula, thus erasing any history of the funding that has been lost by school districts, and - Freeze Foundation Aid at 2017-18 levels, even though costs continue to rise This means that school districts would have no new funding coming in, and would not have the ability to get it in future years, even as costs and expectations escalate.

I am a retired teacher with thirty years of experience. I am also the mother of an adult child with learning disabilities. U.S. Senators Cantswell and Murray got it right when they stated, “The Department’s failure to keep this critical resource operational makes it harder for parents, educators, and administrators to find the resources they need to implement this federal law and protect the rights of children with disabilities." Please sign to restore this resource!

Opposition to LB608 The Parental Choice Scholarship Program Act, introduced by Lou Ann Linehan, takes funds away from public schools for each student that goes to a private school. This hurts Nebraska communities and has the potential to increase taxes. This is a radical copy of programs launched by Betsy DeVos and Mike Pence. By providing public funds to religious organizations it would also be unconstitutional: http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=VII-11

Athletics have long been an important part of the Northland College experience and help support enrollment and financial goals. Tuition, donations and the college's modest endowment are the primary sources of revenue which drive the schools bottom line. This has been a good model, we all had a good experience? Northland was just just ranked the #2 outdoor college by Backpacker Magazine this fall. Even with this good press and many recent investments, the Board remains concerned about declining enrollment. In an effort to boost enrollment Northland College has contracted with Athletics Staffing & Consultants, www.ascwinners.com/asc/, to explore development potential of a football program. Does a football program really fit the ethos of the Northland experience? What other sports can deliver value which complement Northland's existing liberal arts, environmental and outdoor related offerings? Challenge the Northland College Board of Trustees to develop its athletic program in a way that supports and enhances the values and experience we hold true as students, alumni and members of the greater Northland community. Tell the Board of Trustees you do not support a football program and tell them about your concerns relating to football culture and how this may impact the Northland experience. You can read the letter posted by the Board of Trustees, http://northland.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0bbd0f0841cdeb25c2f75fe44&id=b67ee53a06&e=ba0713aca9 Kind Regards, Peter Werts, class of 2006

Firing so many frontline school clerks is unacceptable and will have harmful impact on our schools, our students and their families.

Betsy DeVos has proven time and time again that she is completely unqualified to serve as Secretary of Education. Recently, she struggled to answer even basic questions about schools in her home state of Michigan, where she implemented a private charter school system that has drained public education funds and worsened both public and private school performance statewide. During her confirmation hearings, it was alarmingly clear she was lacking knowledge about public education as we know it, as well as our most at-risk students—the disabled, the economically disadvantaged, English Language Learners, and more. Also in her hearings, she cited dangers from "grizzlies" as a reason guns should be in schools. Now, unsurprisingly, she is advocating Donald Trump's plan to arm teachers. A well-educated public is an essential cornerstone of American democracy. Betsy DeVos is a clear and present danger to that and must be forced to resign.

Betsy DeVos is completely unqualified to head up the Department of Education. She has never attended, taught in, or sent her children to public schools.

We have been fighting this battle for 12 years. During that time, over $1 Trillion in student loan debt has been added to the citizenry, and millions of lives have been wrecked. Congress created this problem. Congress must solve it by repealing 11 USC 523(a)(8) Please come to StudentLoanJustice.Org to help, and join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/sljgroup. The citizens are banding together and we need your help!