Trump's budget proposal would drastically cut public education
Published: May 24, 2017
President Trump recently released his FY2018 budget request to Congress. The proposed education budget calls for a net $9.2 billion cut to the U.S. Department of Education, or 13.6 percent of the spending level Congress approved in April. This spending reduction translates to the elimination of at least 22 educational programs and significant cuts to other programs that impact students in California and across the nation.
“At a time when school districts are already struggling to provide a quality education to California’s 6.2 million students with current funding levels, this new federal budget is alarming, to say the least,” said CSBA President Susan Henry.
As proposed, the budget would increase funding for Title I grants but the composition of those grants would be dramatically changed to accommodate the new Furthering Options for Children to Unlock Success, or FOCUS, grants to LEAs to implement a weighted student funding formula combined with an open enrollment system. The FOCUS grants would be funded at $1 billion to promote school choice — basically these FOCUS grants provide a form of portability for students to attend the public school of their choice.
Additionally, the administration is proposing a $250 million increase for the Education Innovation and Research program to establish grants that would provide scholarships for students from low-income families to attend the private school of their choice. The proposal includes an increase in charter school funding by $167 million to strengthen state efforts to start new charter schools or expand and replicate existing high-performing charter schools, and also provides up to $100 million for charter school facilities.
Some of the largest proposed cuts in funding include the elimination of the Title IV block grants under the Every Student Succeeds Act, along with a reduction in funding for Impact Aid, Promise Neighborhoods and career technical education. The Title IV block grants, known as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program, was previously funded at $400 million to help support activities that provide students with a well-rounded education, ensure safe and supportive learning environments and use technology to improve instruction.
The administration is also proposing to level-fund special education at $11.9 million, which essentially equates to a reduction of about $35 per pupil when program cost increases are taken into consideration.
Other programs facing elimination in the Administration’s budget proposal include:
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers ($1.2 billion cut)
- Funding for Title II programs to address professional development and class-size reduction ($2.1 billion)
- Two programs directed towards Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students (total $65 million cut)
- Arts education program ($27 million cut)
- A program for gifted students ($12 million cut)
- Child care program for low-income parents in college ($15 million cut)
- Special Olympics education programs ($12 million cut)
Programs that will see deep cuts include:
- Grants for career and technical education ($166 million cut, a 12 percent decrease from current funding)
- Promise Neighborhoods program ($13 million, an 18 percent decrease from current funding)
“This new budget proposal poses a significant threat to public education and we will not be silent,” said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “CSBA will actively oppose this and any proposed legislation which would curtail opportunity for California’s public students.”
CSBA will publish additional updates and information as the budget and appropriations process for FY2018 begins.