Statement: Eliminating U.S. Department of Education, moving to block grants would be bad for Oklahoma

Dave Hamby // November 8, 2024 // Updated: November 8, 2024
Media // Press Releases & Statements

The Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction on Thursday published a memo that called for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Instead, the memo called for moving to block grants to provide federal education funds to states.

Statement from OK Policy’s Executive Director Shiloh Kantz: 

The superintendent’s proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and move funding to a block grant scheme is bad for Oklahoma. And it’s bad for our nation. 

The memo states problems that don’t exist in Oklahoma schools. More notably, it insults the tireless work being done by our friends and neighbors who serve on local school boards and who teach in our public schools.  

Moving to a block grant scheme doesn’t actually solve the federal influence the superintendent argues against. Decisions about the amount and purpose for education block grants would still be made at the federal level. The grants would also come with strings attached.

Simply put, this memo seeks to manufacture individual political gain at the expense of Oklahoma school children. Our children and our schools deserve better.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dave Hamby // dhamby@okpolicy.org

David Hamby has more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning communicator, including overseeing communication programs for Oklahoma higher education institutions and other organizations. Before joining OK Policy, he was director of public relations for Rogers State University where he managed the school’s external communication programs and served as a member of the president’s leadership team. He served in a similar communications role for five years at the University of Tulsa. He also has worked in communications roles at Oklahoma State University and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce in Arkansas. He joined OK Policy in October 2019.