Budget Proposal
Released on May 23, 2017
Policy Summary
Donald Trump’s new budget plan proposes cutting 13.5 percent or $9.2 billion from education, paving the way for $1.4 billion to go towards the administration’s top education priority, a school choice voucher program. These cuts would eliminate government subsidized student loans and put an end to student debt forgiveness programs as well as nearly halving the size of the federal work study program. A $2.3 billion program for teacher training and class-size reduction, a $190 million literacy program, and a $1.2 billion after-school program will also see their demise as a result of this budget, in addition to several other programs. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Slashing programs that largely benefit low-income students, this budget makes room for a voucher program, allowing students to opt for private or religious institutions. This is concerning as researchers have found that many states allow religious schools receiving vouchers to deny admission to LGBT students or children with LGBT parents. When asked if the government would step in to prevent schools participating in discriminatory practices from receiving federal vouchers, Education Sect. Betsy DeVos did not give a clear answer. Drawing criticism from both sides of the isle, this budget also dramatically cuts college affordability and access programs. One Representative heralded it as a budget designed by people who have never had to “worry about how they were going to pay for their children to go to college.” Calling the entirety of the budget an “assault on the American dream,” John King Jr., Sect of Education during the Obama Administration, noted that the discussion should be about investing more as opposed to less. LEARN MORE.
Engagement Resources
- Click here to learn how to contact your state legislators! Budgets cannot pass without legislative support!
- Donate to and support The Council for Opportunity in Education, a nonprofit geared toward furthering the expansion of college opportunities for disabled, first-generation and low-income students.
- National Education Association– Support the NEA and join them in their e-mail campaign against Betsy DeVos’ voucher program!
This brief was compiled by Cindy Stansbury. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact, cindy@usresistnews.org.
