The Destruction of John Adams' Dream: Dismantling the DOE

"The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people, and must be willing to bear the expenses of it. There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the public expense of the people themselves."

When John Adams, founding father quoted above, began building our nation, he, along with other founding fathers, envisioned a robust system of public education. It was this endeavor that would further the nation, the whole people. Its expense is worthwhile, and its expense is necessary.

Yesterday, Indiana Governor Mike Braun attended the pomp and circumstance of President Trump’s first steps in dismantling the entity that facilitates John Adam’s dream. Instead of working to continue to build the robust educational system that our founding fathers intended, the current leaders take step after step to destroy it.

As a Hoosier and a proud public educator, and the parent of two students in public education, these last 24 hours have been heavy and horrific. Among many other educators, I know that the Department of Education has nothing to do with “woke ideals” or curriculum development and dissemination. Instead, we know that what the DOE does is provide additional funding for important needs such as: students experiencing poverty, English-learner students, students with disabilities (IEPs and 504s). The DOE provides additional funding for Teacher professional development, ensuring that all educators are up-to-date on the most current practices. PD for the Science of Reading has fundamentally changed many states in recent years. 

The Department of Education also manages the student loans that allowed many of us to access collegiate experiences, graduate, and continue our pathway among the “American Dream” whatever that may be, if it still exists. 

The fact that our governor would support this effort–so much so that he would be there in person (we have plenty going on here, Mike), is nothing but a reminder that these men do not stand for Hoosier ideals. We believe in public education, and we believe in supporting all students. We believe in a nation that values the education of the whole people, and not a privileged few. 

Mike Braun, your actions this week are an embarrassment. The Founding Fathers, and Hoosiers everywhere, disagree with your actions. We can only hope this choice will haunt you come re-election time, because we won’t let the public forget. 

You can reach Governor Braun at 317-232-4567 with comments.