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Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Education Department eyes program cuts, consolidations in FY26 budget plan
This story was originally published on K-12 Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily K-12 Dive newsletter. The Trump administration revealed more details of its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Education on Friday, detailing its vision for how the agency would support students with disabilities and those from low-income families while also cutting federal red tape and expanding school choice incentives. Last month, the White House released an FY 2026 "skinny" budget that included a more than $4.5 billion cut in K-12 funding. The more comprehensive budget recommends a total of $66.7 billion for all Education Department activities, which would be $12 billion, or 15.3%, less than its current funding level. "Our goal is clear: to make education better, fairer, and more accountable by ending Federal overreach and empowering families, schools, and States who best know the needs of their students," the budget document said. The budget recommends maintaining funding for Title I, Part A grants to low-income school communities at $18.4 billion and an increase of $677.5 million — for a total of $14.9 billion — for Part B state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Other K-12 programs slated for increases or level funding include the charter school grant program ($500 million), Impact Aid ($1.6 billion), Indian education ($194.7 million), and career and technical education ($1.45 billion). But several other programs are targeted for spending reductions and eliminations under a new K-12 Simplified Funding Program. The K-12 SFP merges 18 current competitive formula funding grant programs into one $2 billion formula grant program that the administration said will spur innovation and give states more decision-making power. Programs that used to have dedicated line budgets — such as the McKinney-Vento grant to support students experiencing homelessness, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers for before and afterschool learning programs, and the Title II, Part A program to support teacher effectiveness — would be consolidated in the K-12 SFP. Some other programs are being recommended for defunding. Those programs include teacher and school leader incentive grants, the Supporting Effective Educator Development grant, the English Language Acquisition state grants, and full service community schools. Eliminating these programs would ensure fiscal discipline, reduce the federal role in education and give states more authority to make their own fiscal decisions, the budget document said. Many of the proposed cuts are to programs that the Trump administration said are too "woke" or rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion practices. For example, the White House said it wants to eliminate $315 million for Preschool Development grants that the administration said was a "push" to include DEI practices into early childhood programs. Another $77 million is recommended for cuts to Teacher Quality Partnerships because the grants were used to "indoctrinate new teachers," the White House said. Equity Assistance Centers, which are funded at $7 million currently, would be eliminated because the technical assistance work includes divisive topics such as critical race theory, DEI, social justice activism and anti-racist practices, according to budget documents. One program previously thought to be considered for elimination — the Head Start early learning program for young children — is now recommended for level funding at $12.3 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While the Trump administration has released more details of its FY 26 plan, justifications for the proposals are still being developed. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon will appear before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee panel Tuesday to discuss the funding requests. Some conservative organizations applauded the spending plan. Madison Marino Doan, a policy analyst in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, said the request represents what the Education Department calls a "responsible wind-down" of the agency, which is welcomed by the conservative group. Doan said The Heritage Foundation is especially encouraged by the proposed consolidation of 18 grant programs into the K-12 SFP. "If implemented effectively, the department has indicated that these changes would reduce administrative burdens and compliance costs, allowing more resources to flow directly to students and classrooms, and giving states and districts greater flexibility to meet their unique needs," Doan said. Many education associations, however, were quick to condemn the fiscal plan, the first annual budget proposal of President Donald Trump's second term. AASA, The School Superintendents Association, said it was "disappointed" in the budget recommendations and opposes the cuts and consolidations. 'In an attempt to provide flexible district funding, the President proposed cuts to resources that are imperative to delivering services for rural schools, evidence-based reading instruction, professional development for educators, supports for English-language learners as well as music, art, and STEM programs,' AASA said in a statement. For special education grants, the Trump administration wants to consolidate preschool grants to states and IDEA, Part D funding for technical assistance and teacher preparation into the Part B program. Funding for IDEA Part C for services to infants and toddlers with disabilities would remain a separate formula grant program. Although the fiscal design would give states more flexibility with spending the Part D dollars, the budget proposal said states would still be required to meet key IDEA accountability and reporting requirements. AASA points out that consolidations mean that the administration's proposed $677.5 million increase for IDEA Part B won't see much of a boost because those programs were collectively funded at $676 million. Myrna Mandlawitz, the policy and legislative consultant at the Council of Administrators of Special Education, said the problem with lumping the Part B, the preschool grant program and Part D together is that those sections of IDEA allocations were meant to be their own funding avenues to ensure each population served by those programs get the fiscal attention they need. "When all the money is just sent to states, some states do well and some not so well," Mandlawitz said. Jodi Grant, executive director of Afterschool Alliance, offered a dire warning if the budget proposal was accepted as written, saying that funding cuts to after-school programing will lead to "more academic failures, more hungry kids, more chronic absenteeism, higher dropout rates, more parents forced out of their jobs, and a less STEM-ready and successful workforce.' In a statement, Grant said, "Unless Congress rejects this devastating proposal, afterschool and summer learning programs in every corner of the country will close and our child care crisis will worsen dramatically." Eddie Koen, president of the Institute for Educational Leadership, criticized the proposed elimination of Full-Service Community Schools and the K-12 SFP consolidation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. "The Department of Education's FY26 Budget Request falls far short of funding the evidence-based, bold, family and child-centered strategies our students, families, schools, and communities urgently need,' Koen said in a statement. Even leaders who are overseeing programs recommended for increases or level funding voiced their concerns. "Maintaining funding for a third consecutive year — without accounting for inflation, workforce competition, or increased needs — is effectively a deep cut," said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, in a statement. "It means programs will be forced to make impossible choices, including reducing enrollment, cutting hours, or laying off staff." The federal government is technically operating on the approved FY 2024 budget since Congress has not finalized a FY 2025 spending plan. An extension of the FY 2024 budget, or continuing resolution, runs through Sept. 30, and the 2026 fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. But as the Trump administration has already begun downsizing the Education Department and cutting programs, Democrats in Congress have criticized the White House for not adhering to the spending plan and for delays in getting approved money to states and districts. A May 16 letter to McMahon from three Democratic leaders of congressional appropriations committees chided the Education Department for what the lawmakers said are delays in providing states and school districts with information about expected formula funding. "We implore the Department to reverse course, stop creating chaos, provide states and school districts with information about the resources Congress provided in the 2025 appropriations law and begin to support states and their school districts in the effective implementation of federal law," the letter said. According to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, President Trump is expected to submit a request to Congress this week to rescind funds already appropriated. In addition to debating funding levels for FY 26, Congress is also working on a massive tax and spending package that seeks to make permanent tax cuts enacted in 2017 under the first Trump administration. The budget reconciliation package aims to reduce taxes and offset costs of new priorities under the second Trump administration, including a new federal private school choice initiative.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Teens more acutely aware of social media's impact on mental health
This story was originally published on K-12 Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily K-12 Dive newsletter. U.S. teens are growing more aware of social media's potential harms, with 48% reporting in a recent Pew Research Center survey that social media has had a mostly negative effect on their peers — a 16-percentage-point increase from 2022. Despite the potential adverse impact on mental health, 34% of teens reported using social media at least sometimes to access mental health information. They also reported some more positive outcomes, with 74% saying these platforms make them feel more connected to their friends and 63% saying they provide an opportunity to show off their creative side. The Pew Research Center surveyed 1,391 parents and their teenage children aged 13 to 17 and found that parents are more likely to recognize the connection between social media and young people's mental health. The nation — and young people specifically — is currently facing a mental health crisis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and attention to the issue has been heightened following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Pew survey, 44% of parents believe social media has had the biggest negative impact on teens today, but teens cite a broader range of factors. Of teens who said they are at least somewhat concerned about mental health, 22% said social media is the primary factor impacting young people's mental health, and 17% cited in-person and online bullying. Some 16% said the pressures and expectations placed on teens are what most negatively impact their mental health. The Pew Research Center survey noted that open communication can ensure that teens feel supported, but while 8 in 10 parents said they would be extremely or very comfortable talking about mental health, only about half of surveyed teens are. The survey found that teens' openness to these conversations depends on who they are talking to. Students are the most comfortable speaking about their mental health with a parent or a friend, but 54% of teens said they would not be comfortable discussing mental health with a teacher. Only 12% reported they would be extremely or very comfortable doing so. Heather Schwartz, a practice advisor at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, explained that teens need both independence and support, which can make navigating these conversations a bit more challenging. 'Adults have valid concerns about social media, but it can backfire if we get too didactic,' Schwartz said in an email. 'Providing teens with opportunities to learn from and with their peers can boost student's voice and help them feel more in control.' Teens' concerns about mental health also differ by gender. Not only did 42% of girls report they are highly concerned about teen mental health compared to 28% of boys, but teen girls are also more comfortable talking about their mental health with friends. The survey also found that teens saying they spend too much time on social media increased to 45% from 36% in 2022. However, teens who report spending too much time on social media are also more likely to report cutting back on it, with almost half saying they've attempted to. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ed tech venture funding market continued to tighten in Q1
This story was originally published on K-12 Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily K-12 Dive newsletter. The ed tech venture capital funding slump continues with just $410 million in investment during the first quarter of 2025. That compares to $580 million in Q1 2024. The tightening in ed tech investments led to fewer companies receiving larger chunks of money, according to HolonIQ. The average check size? $7.8 million. Nearly half of venture funding raised went to three companies: LeapScholar, a study abroad planning service; MagicSchool, an artificial intelligence teacher assistant; and Campus, a virtual postsecondary program offering courses taught by professors from top-ranked colleges. This, the HolonIQ report said, points to a narrower focus on access, automation and alternative education models in the market. Globally, $85.6 billion in venture funds have been pumped into ed tech since 2010. The global market soared to a whopping $16 billion in 2020 and $20.8 billion in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2024, the market hit its lowest point in a decade as venture funding reached just $2.4 billion — down 88% from 2021's all-time high. In the U.S. specifically, the HolonIQ analysis found Q1 2025 ed tech venture funding dropped 50% to $150 million from Q1 2024's $300 million — far from the $1 billion total for 2014 and the peak of $8.3 billion in 2021. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 things to know from Linda McMahon's FY 2026 testimony
This story was originally published on K-12 Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily K-12 Dive newsletter. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the Trump administration's proposed spending plan for fiscal year 2026 at a House hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, saying the budget will "shrink federal bureaucracy, save taxpayer money and empower states." The funding proposal also prepares for the eventual closure of the U.S. Department of Education, McMahon told members of a House Appropriations subcommittee during her first congressional budget hearing as education secretary. "It is the mission to shut down the bureaucracy of the Department of Education," said McMahon, who added several times during the 2 1/2 hour hearing that she would work with Congress to close the agency. A top-line "skinny" budget proposal released May 2 calls for a $4.5 billion cut from the current K-12 spending plan, which calculates to a 15% reduction. It proposes maintaining spending for Title I, Part A and for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act while consolidating or eliminating other programs' grants. Only money for charter schools is recommended for an increase. McMahon said the spending reductions are realized by eliminating duplicative or ineffective programs, reducing regulatory compliance, and giving states more flexibility in how they dedicate those dollars. But Democratic lawmakers pushed back, saying a retreat in federal education funding and oversight would lead to fewer resources and protections for public school students. "Almost always when we talk about block granting programs, we make very, very substantial, substantive cuts in the availability of resources for the programs that are covered," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md. McMahon said some state education leaders are calling for less federal interference. "I think we're going to see more money available in the states with less red tape," she said. The Trump administration is expected to release a more detailed budget with spending and reduction justifications soon. FY 2026 starts on Oct. 1 Here are some other highlights from the budget hearing held by the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Although the hearing was held to discuss the FY 2026 budget proposal, several lawmakers asked McMahon about the significant spending and workforce cuts taking place during the current fiscal year. In the early months of the Trump administration, the Education Department has cut its workforce by half; canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in research, mental health and teacher preparation grants; and asked states to reapply for extensions for pre-approved COVID-19 emergency funds. "The administration is recklessly and unlawfully freezing and stealing congressionally appropriated funds from agencies, programs and services across the government that serve the American people," said subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. DeLauro also said she would challenge efforts to close the Education Department, adding it would not happen "on our watch." McMahon said the agency is evaluating every single program "carefully" as it chooses to discontinue funds. Later, when DeLauro asked if McMahon was going to follow the FY 2025 spending plan as approved by Congress, McMahon said, "We are going to abide by the law." McMahon said one of President Donald Trump's priorities for education is "making sure that no student is imprisoned, if you will, in a failing school" and that he is "absolutely focused" on providing school choice for parents so "children have the right to an education that is best for them." The secretary told lawmakers that the Education Department would support school choice through an increase in charter school funds and through federal block grants to states, and that state leaders would determine how best to use those funds. Several Republican members praised the efforts to give parents more educational options for their children. Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., said student achievement has not increased despite a rise in federal education spending. "Students need reading, writing, math and critical thinking for everyday activities to succeed in their jobs and to make life's big decisions," Aderholt said. "Too many schools, encouraged and facilitated by federal funding, have let things like social justice advocacy, divisive issues crowd out the focus on teaching students and the core subjects." However, several Democratic lawmakers voiced support for prioritizing the public education system. "I am not opposed to parents using their own money to send their children to private school, but it is a strong public school education system that ensures that every child, no matter their background or ZIP code, has a fair shot at success," said Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla. McMahon said a core reason for students' lackluster academic performance is poor reading skills. "We've lost the fundamental basics," McMahon said, such as the science of reading, which includes phonics, understanding and fluency in reading. "Because if we can get that right, I think we're going to see a great deal of improvement in our schools across our country, but we're not doing it." McMahon spoke about the Mississippi "miracle," or how the state of Mississippi made significant gains in reading performance through science of reading approaches. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., said the state also didn't automatically promote 3rd graders to 4th grade who couldn't read. "If you don't read by the end of the 3rd grade, forget it. Everything beyond there requires reading skill," Harris said. But DeLauro said the elimination of grants to study literacy and other academic improvements and the planned block granting of some federal funds is "beyond distressing." Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., also voiced frustration to McMahon. "You think the federal Department of Education is not living up to what it ought to be doing, and you cite some statistics for students who are not doing as well as they ought to be," Dean said. "And yet, you decide that the answer to that is not to check on these investments and make sure students are achieving. It is to shut the whole doggone thing down. That doesn't make any sense.' Recommended Reading Layoffs, cuts, chaos: The Education Department in Trump's first 90 days Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Head Start from 1965 to today
This story was originally published on K-12 Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily K-12 Dive newsletter. In its six decades of existence, Head Start has experienced highs, such as the addition of Early Head Start in 1994, and lows, like the disruptive COVID-19 pandemic. Here are notable events from Head Start's long history of educating preschoolers from low-income families. May 18, 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson announces Project Head Start during a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden. The program launched that summer with 8 weeks of classes, serving more than 560,000 children and families across the country. The success of the summer program led to Congress approving a nine-month, school year initiative starting in the fall of 1965. The program was funded at $96.4 million. 1969 Management of Head Start moves from the Office of Economic Opportunity to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The Migrant Head Start program is started to support farmworker families and their children. 1972 Congress amends the Economic Opportunity Act to expand Head Start program opportunities for children with disabilities. The legislation requires that at least 10% of Head Start's national enrollment include young children with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which requires K-12 schools to serve students with disabilities, wouldn't become law until 1975. 1975 By the 10th anniversary of Head Start, the program has served 5.3 million children. During this year, about 79,000 employees are working in 9,400 centers in every state and territory. Head Start publishes its first performance standards detailing guidelines for serving children ages 3 to 5. 1982 Summer-only Head Start programs end. Head Start's total funded enrollment level reaches 395,800. 1987 Congress passes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Head Start programs use the law's definition of homelessness to automatically enroll eligible children. 1990 Congress appropriates the largest year-over-year funding increase in Head Start history up to this year at $1.6 billion, or enough to enroll 621,078 children. 1994 Congress reauthorizes Head Start and creates the Early Head Start program to serve pregnant women, infants and toddlers. The fiscal year 1995 total Head Start budget is $3.53 billion for services to about 752,000 children. 1998 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the successor agency to HEW, issues revised standards that include Early Head Start supports and the requirement that at least one teacher in each Head Start classroom must have a child development associate credential. 2003 The Head Start National Reporting System is implemented to standardize the collection of child outcomes for early literacy, language and number skills of all 4- and 5-year-olds enrolled in Head Start. 2007 Congress reauthorizes the program through the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act, which aims to improve education staff qualifications and program monitoring. The law also increases accountability through strengthened monitoring and oversight. Funding for Head Start reaches $6.9 billion to serve 908,412 children. 2009 Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress appropriates an additional $2.1 billion for Head Start to serve another 61,000 children. The annual appropriation for Head Start in FY 2009 was $7.1 billion. 2015 Head Start celebrates its 50th anniversary. President Barack Obama proposes funding Head Start programs to operate on a full school day and full school year calendar. By Aug. 1, 2021, each Head Start program is required to provide at least 1,020 annual hours of planned class operations over at least eight months per year for at least 45% of Head Start center-based funded enrollment. 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic halts most in-person services, and Head Start begins offering a mix of virtual or remote child development services, along with other family supports. The programs that stayed open helped guide non-Head Start early childhood programs – such as child care centers and public preschools — on safety precautions so parents who were essential employees could stay on the job. 2024 Congress appropriates $12.3 billion for Head Start, an increase of $275 million over FY 2023. The program serves nearly 800,000 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. 2025 Massive workforce reductions at HHS led to the closing of five Office of Head Start regional offices: Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Those offices are to be consolidated into the five remaining offices in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City and Denver. The regional offices provide guidance on federal policy, training and technical assistance to Head Start providers. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
