The Trump administration is moving ahead with its downsizing of the Department of Education.

"Frankly, that will be disastrous for Connecticut if that funding is cut," says Fran Rabinowitz, the executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.

Connecticut educators are nervous about cuts to the Education Department. The plan is to lay off more than 1,300 employees, which is half the current staff, and then dismantle the agency.

Rabinowitz, the former Bridgeport superintendent of public schools, says these cuts will only hurt children.

"I can't imagine that signals support for public education, which is the cornerstone of our democracy. Certainly the department helps with our most vulnerable children. I'm not sure what that signals to all of us," says Rabinowitz.

The layoff plan follows buyout offers and the termination of probationary employees. With Connecticut's own Linda McMahon confirmed to lead the department last week, state education leaders and advocates were already bracing for her to carry out the president's agenda in slashing a department they say is critical to public education.

The Connecticut Education Association said in statement, "This is nothing short of a direct attack on America's students, educators, and the future of public education itself and will have dire effects, especially for our most vulnerable students. "

Evan Stone with Educators For Excellence says, "The massive layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education are alarming and will have dire consequences for students, teachers, and schools nationwide."

The state Department of Education gets $394 million a year from Washington. That's 10% of its entire budget. That money pays for special education, career training and teaching foreign students English.