Media Contact: Gina Davis, gdavis@zerotothree.org
Washington, DC — Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE, released the following statement today in response President Trump’s Executive Order to close the Department of Education.
“Closing the Department of Education will disproportionately hurt babies and toddlers by limiting critical early interventions, straining families and the workforce, and setting back children’s development. I urge the President and Congress to reconsider this decision.
The Department supports essential programs—like Title I preschool and IDEA Part C for infants and toddlers with disabilities—that help ensure children, especially those in poverty or in rural areas, get the strong start they need to grow and thrive.
At ZERO TO THREE, we focus on the first three years of life because this is when a child’s brain develops more than at any other time. And ensuring a strong start for babies and toddlers is intrinsically tied to their success in K-12. These early experiences set the stage for success in school and beyond.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is more than just a law—it’s a lifeline. Administered by the Department of Education, IDEA guarantees over 500,000 preschoolers and more than 400,000 infants and toddlers with developmental needs the right to a free, appropriate public education and early intervention services. Without it, far too many children would be left without the resources and support they need to thrive, and their families would shoulder the burden alone. By protecting IDEA, we protect our nation’s commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.
Title I programs administered as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) are required by law to follow the same high standards as Head Start. Districts also use Title I funds to provide services, such as home visits, which focus on child development, parenting skills and connections vital to community services.
Meanwhile, early childhood education remains one of the lowest-paying fields, with workers earning an average of $32,070 a year. Cutting programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will worsen teacher shortages and discourage new talent from entering this profession. As a result, families face long waitlists—sometimes upward of a year—for early care and education programs and costs that, in some parts of the country, are higher than the price of attending college.
Dismantling the Department of Education puts these essential early childhood supports at risk. Communities with limited resources will lose vital programs that help kids arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and thrive in school.
Now is the time to stand firm in defending the Department of Education and the essential early childhood programs it supports, so every child—no matter their background—can get the start in life they deserve.”
