by AIELOC Leadership Team | Mar 21, 2025 | Blog
Friday, March 21, 2025
The Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) strongly opposes any proposal to dismantle the United States Department of Education. As an organization dedicated to advancing equitable and inclusive education for all students, we firmly believe that the Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring access to quality education, protecting civil rights, and upholding educational standards across the nation.
Dismantling the Department of Education would have devastating consequences for millions of students, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities. The Department is responsible for administering federal financial aid programs, enforcing Title IX and civil rights protections, and supporting historically underfunded schools through initiatives such as Title I funding. Without this oversight, the risk of educational inequities and disparities would increase significantly, leaving many students without the resources they need to succeed.
Furthermore, the Department of Education provides essential support for teachers, administrators, and school districts, offering research-based best practices, grant opportunities, and policies that help drive student achievement. Its role in collecting and analyzing educational data also ensures that lawmakers and educators can make informed decisions to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
Education is the foundation of our democracy and our economy. Eliminating the Department of Education would undermine decades of progress in expanding access to high-quality education and closing achievement gaps. We urge ALL to reject any efforts to dismantle this crucial institution and instead focus on strengthening its ability to serve students, families, and educators.
We welcome the opportunity to engage in further discussions on how to enhance our education system while maintaining the necessary federal support and oversight that the Department of Education provides.
by AIELOC Leadership Team | Feb 18, 2025 | Blog
The Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) acknowledges the challenging times ahead as we navigate a landscape marked by uncertainty. In light of recent federal guidance concerning the awarding of grants to educational institutions and organizations, AIELOC would like to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to protecting our community and advancing our mission.
As outlined in the recent communication regarding Executive Order 14173, AIELOC understands the requirement for grantees to certify compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and the stipulation against operating programs that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that violate these laws.
While we acknowledge the complexities introduced by this directive, AIELOC remains steadfast in its belief that fostering our values, beliefs, and focus on a culture of dignity, respect, learning, and fairness is essential to the educational experience and the well-being of our communities.
AIELOC’s Position:
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Commitment to Culture of dignity, respect, learning and fairness: AIELOC believes that well-being and care are fundamental to achieving educational excellence. We will continue to advocate for practices that support these values within our community.
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Support for Grantees: We understand that the new certification requirements may pose challenges for our partners. AIELOC is committed to providing guidance and support to help navigate these changes while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
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Ongoing Advocacy: AIELOC will continue to advocate for policies that enhance visibility, recognition, and support for the needs of students, educators, and leaders globally.
As we shift to understanding the evolving landscape, it is crucial that we stand together to protect the values that define our community. AIELOC will continue the important work we have set forth to do, advocating for opportunities and the well-being of all members of our community.
As we move forward, AIELOC encourages open dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders. We invite our partners to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the new federal guidelines and how they may impact our collective mission. For more information about AIELOC and our initiatives, please visit www.aieloc.org.
