FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2019
Today, the Trump Administration released its proposed fiscal year 2020 federal budget, which calls for significant cuts to funding for the U.S. Department of Education. The budget proposes, for the third consecutive year, the complete elimination of Title II and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, as well as the Title IV program.
"The proposed FY20 budget shows a blatant disregard for educators, students, and the programs that support them," ASCD Interim Executive Director and CEO Ronn Nozoe said. "The proposal to eliminate funding for after-school activities and for professional development for teachers and principals compounds the issues educators face, and it will remove necessary supports for educators and students. The administration's ongoing efforts to eliminate these programs demonstrates a lack of commitment to our education system."
The proposed budget would eliminate all of the $2.1 billion in funding for Title II, which aids states and districts in recruiting, training, and retaining effective educators, and the entire $1.1 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which funds after-school and extended-learning programs for students. It would also eliminate $1.2 billion for the Title IV ESSA program that supports a well-rounded education. The budget maintains funding for Title I and IDEA, which covers special education, and proposes to raise $5 billion a year for state-based scholarship funds aimed at "school choice."
Read the full 2020 federal budget proposal<https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/presidents-budget-expands-education-freedom-supports-teachers-protects-vulnerable-students>. ASCD will release its legislative agenda for 2019 on March 17.
ASCD empowers educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Comprising 114,000 members—superintendents, principals, teachers, and advocates from more than 127 countries—the ASCD community also includes 67 affiliate organizations. ASCD's innovative solutions promote the success of each child. To learn more about how ASCD supports educators as they learn, teach, and lead, visit www.ascd.org.