Student led organization in Kern County protests elimination of the Department of Education

Parents, students and organizers in Bakersfield came together in front of the Kern Public Services Building to protest Donald Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education with an executive order.

The department allocates federal grants for programs like Title I, which supports high-poverty K-12 schools by helping disadvantaged students meet state academic standards. If the department is eliminated, students will be impacted—losing not only their access to free school meals but also vital teacher support and accommodations for children with special needs.

"One other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington D.C., and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states," Trump said in a video posted to social media in October 2023 where he laid out his vision for education. "We want them to run the education of our children because they'll do a much better job of it."

Organizing For A Better Change is a nonprofit organization in Kern County created by a youth group of eight high school students and one local college. This organization not only advocates for education but also for immigrant rights and for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. 

“Se ve, se siente, los estudiantes están presentes” was just one of the chants shouted by the organization in front of Congressman David G. Valadao’s office, which represents the 22nd Congressional District.

Organizing For A Better Change was created after Bakersfield was targeted by Border Patrol earlier in the year. The agents traveled over 300 miles to launch “Operation Return to Sender,” which was a week-long operation targeting predominantly Latino areas in Kern County. Even though the operation only lasted a week, it brought great fear to the undocumented immigrant community. 

Eliminating the Department of Education would also mean removing student loans and federal aid, which are crucial for helping low-income students pursue higher education. Ashley Garcia Rios, the college student who is part of the organization, said she is already being personally affected by these changes. 

In her first year of attending Bakersfield College, Rios is already financially struggling to pay for her education. “I'm getting FAFSA taken away from me, not just because my parents make too much money, but because of this,” said Rios.

She also told CALÓ News that since she was a child, she has always wanted to be a pediatric nurse, and just as she was pursuing that career, her opportunities are being taken away. “Today exactly at 10 a.m. I had to go change my major from RN to CNA for pediatrics. “It does the same thing, but it won't be the same,” said the college student.

Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut dozens of contracts it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful. Abolishing the Department of Education would involve transferring its responsibilities to other agencies. The Department of Education plays a vital regulatory role in supporting students, including those with disabilities, low-income and homeless youth.

Trump has also vowed to cut off federal money for schools and colleges that push “critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content” and to reward states and schools that end teacher tenure and support universal school choice programs.

Hector Hernandez, a 17-year-old senior from Miramonte High School, is not only leading the walkouts and involved in the organization but also actively participates in school board meetings to voice student concerns to the board. Last Wednesday he attended the most recent meeting where he introduced himself in his native Mextico language to the board. 

In front of Valadao’s office, where he was protesting, the high school student gave a speech. “At a young age my parents taught me that nothing in this country is free. I am here with my fellow classmates from Miramonte High School and other schools joining us in elevating our voices and standing for our freedom of speech and standing on the right side of history,” Hernandez said. 

He also pointed out that their 2006 textbooks are older than his high school, which was established in 2008. Even though his textbooks are old he said that he has learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and the social injustices of the Black and Brown community and how they were segregated and limited with education due to their color and the areas they used to live in.

Hernandez also shared with CALÓ News that instead of cutting the Department of Education, the Trump administration should be updating textbooks, providing more educational programs and teaching them on their freedom of speech.

“We as students, parents and community will stand to defend what we need in our community, and to show that our education is important,” said the organization.