Joint Statement from Six Education, Teacher, and Youth Organizations on the Federal Government Shutdown Link copied!

Washington, DC – The Education Trust , Children’s Defense Fund, Democrats for Education Reform, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Teach Plus, and TNTP issued the following statement regarding the federal government shutdown.

“A government shutdown is not only harmful to millions of hard-working Americans, but it is also damaging to our most vulnerable citizens – our children.

“While Congress fails to come to a consensus, the school districts near military bases and tribal reservations that depend heavily on federal impact aid have stopped receiving that aid; 90 percent of the U.S. Department of Education’s workforce is furloughed, delaying not just the flow of funding but also critical approvals for states and school districts engaged in reform efforts; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services isn’t making new Head Start grants; the financial aid that low-income college students need to stay in school eventually could be delayed, threatening their continued enrollment; and millions of our neediest children may not receive the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits they desperately need.

“We urge Congress to come to a solution now that prioritizes the needs of families and students. Our children cannot afford a non-functioning government.”