Proposed Cuts to Education Funding

We also expect a push to convert major education programs to block grants and a voucher scheme that could rob public schools of as much as $100 billion. Our students will pay the price. 

Where We Are Now 

• A March 20 executive order from President Trump directs the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”
• The Department of Education’s staff has already been cut in half, undermining its ability to protect students’ rights and provide necessary services—especially for students with disabilities. 
• The plan includes moving special education and student loan programs from the Department of Education to other agencies. 
• The Trump administration is refusing to reimburse states and school districts for COVID relief funds previously approved, committed, and spent.  
• Cuts in the Department of Education’s teaching and learning programs threaten our success as a nation—today’s students are America’s future leaders and workforce.

What Lies Ahead

• Title I and IDEA funding could be slashed and repurposed as block grants that can be used almost any way—including a voucher programs that divert taxpayer dollars from public to private and religious schools that are not accountable to the public. 
• Slashing Title I grants would affect 26 million students nationwide and create big budget holes states could close only by cutting services or raising taxes. 
• Under block grant funding, 7.5 million students with disabilities would lose important rights, protections, and services. 
• Any shortfall in federal funding is likely to lead to fewer educators—for students, that means bigger classes, less individual attention, and less support. 
• For details on how much federal education funding is at risk in your state and congressional district, check out our Federal Funding Guide.