NCYL Condemns Dangerous and Anti-Democratic Executive Order Attacking Education
White House directive is a sweeping attempt to rewrite history, censor critical discussions, and legitimize exclusion in the classroom
The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) condemns President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which not only threatens to withhold federal funding from schools but also strikes at the core of public education’s mission: to serve all students. This order is a sweeping attempt to rewrite history, censor critical discussions, and legitimize exclusion in the classroom.
By preventing students from learning the narratives and experiences that continue to shape our nation and current realities and that are the bedrock of American history, it tells young people – especially Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ youth — that their identities and experiences do not have a place in America.
“This executive order is nothing less than government censorship, a threat to the fundamental principles of democracy, and an assault on students' ability to understand current and historical realities," said Shakti Belway, Executive Director of NCYL. “No government should be in the business of teaching exclusion, yet this order does just that, sending a dangerous message that American students are undeserving of truth and that some students are less worthy of recognition and respect than others. Its potentially revisionist and discriminatory impact will be disastrous to our nation’s democracy and our future."
For more than 50 years, NCYL has fought for an equitable education system that nurtures students’ understanding of themselves and the world around them. Efforts to suppress discussions on systemic racism, gender equity, and the very history of the United States not only deprive students of essential knowledge but also hinder progress toward a more just, safe and inclusive society.
We call upon policymakers at every level of government to do everything in their lawful power to promote an accurate and complete education of our nation’s history to strengthen civil society and our nation’s democracy.
NCYL stands in solidarity with students, families, educators, and communities committed to providing inclusive and accurate education. We will continue to advocate for policies that uphold educational integrity and resist attempts to politicize classroom content.
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The National Center for Youth Law centers youth through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transform our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every child thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.
