All articles tagged with #education budget
The Trump administration plans to allocate nearly $500 million to historically Black colleges and tribal universities, funded by cuts to other minority-focused education programs, while also increasing funding for history, civics, and charter schools, amidst a broader effort to reduce the overall education budget and support President Trump's political priorities.
The Trump administration is releasing over $5 billion in withheld funding to public schools, ending weeks of uncertainty and supporting programs like English-language learning, teacher training, and academic enrichment.
The Trump administration announced the release of $5.5 billion in previously frozen federal education funds after facing internal and external pressure, ending a month-long delay that impacted school districts nationwide. The funds, part of nearly $7 billion approved by Congress, include money for teacher training, arts, English learning, and support for migrant children. While the release helps districts plan for the new school year, future funding cuts are anticipated as the administration seeks to reduce costs and overhaul education funding priorities.
The Trump administration has decided to release billions in federal education funds after bipartisan pressure from Congress, aiming to support critical education programs and address budget shortfalls faced by schools across the country.
The Trump administration has withheld nearly $7 billion in federally approved K-12 education funds, citing misuse concerns and ongoing reviews, prompting legal and political opposition from educators, lawmakers, and advocacy groups who argue the move is illegal and could severely impact school programs and services.
The Trump administration has temporarily frozen $169 million in federal funds for North Carolina public schools, causing uncertainty and concern among educators and administrators as the funds support critical programs for vulnerable students. The freeze, announced via a brief memo, impacts various educational grants, and officials are assessing the situation while awaiting further guidance. The delay comes at a challenging time as schools prepare for the new academic year.
The US federal government has paused funding for certain educational programs, including $400 million for Florida, affecting services for English language learners and other students, prompting state officials to seek ways to mitigate the impact amid political tensions.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testified before Congress about the Trump administration's proposed 15% budget cut to the Education Department, emphasizing the preservation of key funding streams like Title I and IDEA, while proposing cuts to other programs such as TRIO. The hearings highlighted debates over the department's role, mental health funding cuts, student loan responsibilities, and the future of workforce and college access programs, with bipartisan support for some initiatives like TRIO.
The Iowa House has passed a bill raising the minimum teacher salary to $47,500, marking a nearly 50% increase for starting teachers and the largest teacher pay increase in the state’s history. This move aims to elevate Iowa to 12th in the nation for average teacher pay, with Governor Kim Reynolds pushing for a further increase to $50,000 by 2026. The bill also includes pay raises for non-salaried school employees, such as paras, bus drivers, and administrative staff. Despite the positive development, school districts are still awaiting clarity on state funding as the education budget remains pending.
Democratic lawmakers in Oregon have stated that state money will not be provided to end the ongoing teachers strike in Portland. Legislators responsible for the state's education budget have expressed their inability to allocate additional funds to meet the demands of the striking teachers, citing budget constraints. The lawmakers argue that it would be unfair to provide special funding to Portland schools while other districts face similar issues. Despite calls from teachers and administrators, there are no plans to pass an emergency funding package through the Legislature's emergency board. The strike continues as the district argues it would need over $200 million to meet the teachers' demands.
Schools across the United States are facing a severe shortage of substitute teachers, which is directly connected to the broader teacher shortage. Budget constraints and reluctance to pay subs a living wage contribute to the problem. Many substitute teachers are paid a fraction of what full-time teachers make, leading some to reconsider their careers. Lack of support and access to basic resources, such as keys to classrooms and parking spots, further exacerbate the issue. Substitutes often lack health benefits and sick days, and they are not always informed if they are filling in for a teacher who is out with COVID-19. Professionalizing substitute teaching and offering better compensation and benefits could help alleviate the shortage.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a $24.3 billion education budget for Michigan that increases per-pupil spending, provides free school meals, and expands access to the state-funded preschool program. The budget includes a 5% increase in the foundation allowance, making it the highest per-pupil funding in state history. It also allocates $160 million for free breakfast and lunch for PreK-12 students, expands eligibility for the preschool program, and includes funding for students' mental health, school safety, and teacher training. The budget passed with support from both Democrats and some Republicans.
A nonprofit law firm is considering suing Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for using a partial veto to increase funding for public schools for the next 400 years. The veto, which crossed out the "20" and the hyphen in the original bill, allows K-12 schools to raise their revenue per student by $325 a year until 2425. Critics argue that the veto is undemocratic and may burden taxpayers for centuries. Legal action is being considered, and there is uncertainty about whether the veto will stand in court. The Wisconsin line item veto has a history of controversy, and amending the Constitution may be a possible route to curbing the governor's power.
Alabama lawmakers have approved a historic $8.8 billion education budget and $2.8 billion supplemental allocation, which will be distributed during the current budget year. The education budget will send K-12 education $6 billion, a $363 million or 4.4% increase, while higher education will receive $2.3 billion, a $140 million or 1.7% increase. The budget will fund 2% pay increases for K-12 teachers, a minimum pay scale for school support staff, and a $1,000 bonus for special education teachers. Lawmakers put an additional $50 million into math and science initiatives and an additional $30 million into child care and after school resources.