As the Trump administration faces numerous controversies, one federal department is executing its agenda as intended. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, known for her advocacy of school vouchers, has openly expressed her disdain for public education and her commitment to privatization. Now, she is following through on her plans to diminish public education, reduce the federal government’s involvement in schools, and promote school choice.
This week, President Trump and Secretary DeVos are set to unveil next year’s troublesome education budget. The proposal slashes $10.6 billion from education programs that primarily assist the most vulnerable students, accounting for a significant 13.6% reduction in the overall budget. In contrast, $1.4 billion of those funds will be redirected to school choice initiatives.
Approximately $1 billion is earmarked for the new Furthering Options for Children to Unlock Success (FOCUS) grant program, which will only benefit school districts that offer school choice options. The Center for American Progress has criticized these reforms as “Robin Hood in reverse,” as they shift resources away from high-poverty districts toward more affluent ones.
Who stands to gain from this budget?
- School Voucher Programs: The budget allocates additional funding for the expansion and study of voucher programs that enable low-income students to attend private or religious schools.
- Charter Schools: An increase of $500 million—50% more than the current allocation—will be designated for charter schools.
- DeVos’s Security and Staff: An extra $158 million is requested for her staff salaries, despite a reduction in the overall Department of Education workforce. Unlike her predecessors who relied on the department’s security detail, Secretary DeVos is guarded by U.S. Marshals, costing the department an additional $1 million monthly.
On the flip side, several programs that benefit students at all levels will suffer. As Senator Mark Thompson, the leading Democrat on the education committee, pointed out, “This budget threatens community stability by cutting funding for after-school programs, grant aid for struggling college students, and teacher training initiatives, among many others—including educational programs for the Special Olympics.”
Some notable programs under threat include:
- Student Loan Forgiveness: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives loans for graduates in public service after ten years, is set for elimination, impacting those in underpaid yet essential professions like teaching and social work.
- After-School Programs: The 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which support nearly 2 million mostly low-income students, will face funding cuts.
- Federal Work-Study Programs: Financial aid for 670,000 college students through federal work-study will see its budget halved.
- Pell Grants: While the largest federal grant program will not be completely abolished, it will undergo a nearly $4 billion budget cut, along with the elimination of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
Further cuts will affect a range of other programs, including arts education, career and technical education, and literacy initiatives.
As Secretary DeVos prepares to testify before the House Appropriations Committee, it’s essential to recognize that this budget proposal may face significant political hurdles. Cutting public school funding to promote vouchers could alienate Trump’s voter base, particularly in rural areas where public schools are vital due to a lack of private options.
Amid the ongoing scandals surrounding this administration, it’s critical to remain focused on its educational policies. Don’t just hope for a favorable outcome from your representatives; actively communicate your concerns about this budget. For more insights on related topics, refer to our article on home insemination here. Additionally, Make a Mom offers valuable information on fertility journeys, while the CDC provides an excellent resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination here.
In summary, the forthcoming education budget proposed by Secretary DeVos represents a significant shift away from supporting public education and towards promoting privatization and school choice, negatively impacting the most vulnerable students in our communities.