WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on President Trump's unlawful threat to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:

"Gutting the Education Department will have disastrous consequences in New Mexico and across the country. Whether it's because our kids' favorite teacher is laid off, their after school program is shuttered, or they lose the help they need learning to read, President Trump's threatened actions will hurt our kids.

"As a father and as New Mexico's senior senator, I will do everything I can to stop President Trump's attack on our children's future."

Background on How President Trump's Unlawful Dismantling of the Education Department Will Harm New Mexico's Students, Parents, and Educators:

Title I Funding

87% of schools in New Mexico receive a total of $147 million in federal Title I funding from the Department of Education. This funding supports low-income students with literacy and math. Title I funds are used for:

Hiring additional teachers and specialists who support students and their teachers with literacy and math instruction
Purchasing additional instructional materials
Teacher training
Parent engagement
Smaller Classroom Sizes

Federal Pell Grants

Over 44,000 low-income college students in New Mexico — including students in vocational-technical certificate programs — currently receive a Federal Pell Grant from the Department of Education. Pell Grants help New Mexicans pay for tuition, housing, food, transportation, books, and other education-related costs.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Funding

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds special education services. 16.5% of New Mexico students are on an individualized education plan (IEP) and receive services under this program. New Mexico receives $120 million per year in IDEA funding from the Department of Education. IDEA funding can be used to pay special education instructors, support services such as behavioral health specialists, and classroom materials and equipment designed for students with disabilities.

21st Century Community Learning Center (After School Program) Funding

The Department of Education administers Title IV, Part B funds for after school programs. In New Mexico, 124 schools receive this funding for their after school enrichment and tutoring programs.

Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act Funding

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funds grants for equipment and programming for high school career and technical education programs. New Mexico receives $10.5 million in Carl Perkins Act Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funding from the Department of Education.

Title II, Part A Funding

Title II, Part A funds teacher professional development. New Mexico receives over $2 million per year from the Department of Education to help educators improve and expand their teaching skills.

Title III Funding

Title III funds help students learn English. 1 out of 3 families in New Mexico speak a language other than English at home and about 1 out of 6 students are classified as English learners. New Mexico currently receives about $9 million per year to help kids learn English.