WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday joined 17 governors in sending a letter to United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the department release approximately $6.8 billion in federal education funding.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to fire hundreds of Department of Education employees, a move that advances President Donald Trump’s plans to dismantle the department. The high court’s decision in McMahon v. State of New York was issued 6-3 along ideological lines.

Colorado has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to prevent the freezing of federal education funds vital for diverse and underserved students.

United States Department of Education U.S. Department Education investigates CPS over Black Student Success Plan The complaint claims the CPS is using the program to discriminate on the basis of race.

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and nine other Senate Republicans have signed a letter asking the Office of Management and Budget to release Department of Education funds to states, which are currently being withheld for review.

Colorado has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a freeze in essential education funding.

The U.S. Department of Education has emerged as central in the struggle over control of the power of the purse in the nation’s capital.

Desperation crept into Sylvia’s voice as she rattled off all the ways her life would become more difficult if a free learning program that her son attends during the summer shuts its doors.