Trump’s Latest Cuts to Public Education

We know the news cycle has been busy these past months, and when it comes to public education, the bad news just keeps piling up. Here's the latest: The Trump administration is holding back about $5.5 billion in education funding that Congress already approved — including hundreds of millions for New York schools, which we were counting on to fund teacher training, support for English learners and migrant students, mental health services, and so much more. Because of this freeze, districts across the state are being forced to cut programs and lay off staff, threatening the quality of education that tens of thousands of our students rely on. New York State, led by Attorney General Letitia James, has joined 23 other states and D.C. in suing the Trump administration, arguing that this freeze breaks federal law and unfairly punishes communities – communities his administration does not care about. These federal funds also pay the salaries of state employees who directly assist school districts. This is all part of a much larger pattern with more than 1,000 Department of Education employees laid off, including many who work on civil rights enforcement and support for students with disabilities. Meanwhile, two bills moving through Congress — H.R. 2456 and S. 1148 — would lock in these cuts permanently and remove key federal protections that our most vulnerable communities depend on. On top of that, the President's upcoming budget proposes even deeper education cuts nationwide. Our schools are under attack and New York's children — the future of our state — are already paying the price. Join us in telling Congress and the White House to release the millions owed to New York, reject the President's proposed cuts, and vote NO on H.R. 2456 and S. 1148. As New Yorkers, we know that strong, well-funded schools build strong communities, so let's make sure those elected to represent us in Congress hold that standard as true. Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Alliance for Quality Education, please click here.