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Tennessee educators are expressing concern over President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and return control of public education solely to the states.

The Tennessee Department of Education currently serves more than 1 million students across 147 districts.

Tanya Coats, president of the Tennessee Education Association, said while states already oversee most aspects of public education, dismantling the federal department could risk key student services and lead to the defunding and privatization of public schools. She warned it could result in larger class sizes, less individual attention, and fewer resources for students with disabilities.

“Since there’s only less than 30 days for most schools in the state of Tennessee to be in service, that it would cut our after-school programs come the next year,” Coats said. “And particularly our summer programs that augment this in-school learning and skill building.”

Coats also noted that educators would lose access to federal programs that help low-income students and students with disabilities attend college.

Gov. Bill Lee has expressed support for keeping education control at the state level. In his State of the State address, he announced an additional $580 million for public education, including increases for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula and a teacher pay raise.

Coats argued that eliminating the U.S. Department of Education would put vulnerable students at greater risk by removing essential academic resources, civil rights protections and life skills support. She highlighted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as a crucial federal program that ensures support for students with disabilities.

“When we think about if it’s transferred to another department, it will likely cause chaos,” Coats said. “Chaos for those students with special needs and their families. But students and their families who currently have these Individualized Education Programs and students with special needs will adversely be the most impacted by this change.”

According to the National Education Association, Tennessee receives more than $308 million in funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Coats urged lawmakers, Gov. Lee and local communities to recognize the risks of unequal access to critical educational services. She stressed that every child, regardless of ZIP code, deserves the support they need to succeed.