Letter: Mia Love's plan against Department of Education

I have become disappointed this week with my realization that Mia Love has plans to push in Washington the abolishment of the Department of Education (which then abolishes The Office of Civil Rights, or OCR, that falls under the DOE) if she was to become elected. She believes if our federal taxes are no longer paying for the DOE, we can pay less federal income tax, raise state income tax and make up the difference. Let me explain how this is flawed.

The DOE primarily pays for special education. The problem with diverting money to the states is that states and local districts don't like to follow special education laws. If you take away the carrot, you've taken away the incentive.

As of now, a parent can go through due process if the district refuses to follow an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. With a child on a 504 plan, a plan that protects students with disabilities, they can go through the OCR for remediation. The Feds can hold out that carrot and withhold money if they refuse to obey the law.

Love's plans will leave special-ed children with near worthless IEPs and 504 plans.

Sarah Pearson

West Jordan