CEF Budget Book

For press inquiries contact: Sarah Abernathy, 202-327-8125 | abernathy@cef.org

President Trump’s 2020 Budget Hurts Students and Disinvests in Learning by Cutting Needed Federal Support for Education, Says Committee for Education Funding (CEF) Analysis

Budget cuts would impact learning and access to education across the continuum, according to practitioners

WASHINGTON, DC – The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), the nation’s oldest and largest education coalition, today released its annual analysis of the president’s education budget.  CEF shared the findings at a Capitol Hill briefing where education practitioners described how some of the major cuts in the President’s proposed budget would affect learning and teaching across the education continuum – from early childhood education to K-12 education to higher education, including career technical education and library programs.

The President’s fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget cuts discretionary resources for the Department of Education by $8.8 billion (12.5 percent) below the 2019 level, and cuts mandatory spending for student loan programs by $207 billion over ten years. The budget also cuts funding for other education-related programs such as libraries, museums, and workforce development. These cuts all reduce resources that help students learn and achieve, train teachers and school leaders, or provide access to higher education.

“Investments in education remain a top priority for an overwhelming majority of Americans, yet the President’s fiscal year 2020 budget slashes federal resources for education, once again requesting deep funding cuts, many that Congress has rejected from the previous two budgets.  Americans are increasingly aware and vocal about the resource challenges facing our schools and the mounting levels of student debt, but instead of addressing these educational needs, the President’s budget makes them worse.  In fact, the budget underinvests along the entire education continuum – from early childhood education, to elementary and secondary education, to higher education and workforce training, as well as out-of-school educational programs.,” said CEF Executive Director Sheryl Cohen.

“The President’s budget deeply cuts support for education even though investments in education are among the most important and profitable the nation can make.  Simply put, education pays – for students, families, communities, and the economy,” noted CEF President Stephanie Giesecke, Director of Budget and Appropriations for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Investments in education account for less than two percent of the federal budget, and funding for Department of Education programs is $7 billion below the 2011 level in inflation-adjusted terms.  The President’s budget cuts that share even further. It eliminates more than 30 programs that Congress funded this year at more than $7 billion, including the main federal program for teacher and principal hiring and training, the federal afterschool program, one of the largest sources of grant aid to help low-income students go to college, and the flexible block grant designed to support a range of elementary and secondary education services, among other key programs.

Each year CEF publishes a detailed, program-by-program analysis of the President’s budget request for education programs, complete with charts and tables showing the funding history and illustrating the reach and impact of federal education investments. The book is a resource for Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as for others interested in understanding the importance and scope of federal education programs and services.

To illustrate the importance of federal education funding and highlight the local impact of the President’s proposed cuts, CEF hosted a panel today on Capitol Hill of education practitioners with experience implementing early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, career technical, postsecondary education, and library programs.

Educators shared today the impact the budget would have locally:

“Federal funding for elementary and secondary education is vital, helping to hire teachers, train principals, support counselors, and purchase necessary technology and curricular materials, to list just a few items.  Without the federal support, schools in Alabama and across the country would be without educational services that we need.  The President’s elimination of flexible funding that districts can use to meet key needs and of the Title II-A state grant program would make it that much harder to ensure all students get access to a high-quality education.” – Dr. Rick Carter, Principal, Athens High School, Athens, AL

“Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, is a historically black college and university (HBCU) founded in 1873. Like most HBCUs, Wiley is an institution that is under-resourced and in need of additional support. Title III of the Higher Education Act (HEA) allows my institution to keep tuition and fee costs low, preserve its physical structures, improve the quality of its academic program offerings, strengthen its academic support services, and modernize its technology infrastructure. This is vitally important not only for the sustainability of my institution, but for the students that we serve. 90% of the undergraduate students on my campus use some form of grant or scholarship aid while 74% of the undergraduate students use Federal student loans.  Without continued and increased support for HBCUs like Wiley College, and for Pell grants, subsidized student loans, and other student aid, many students would not have access to the education that is producing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and doctors.  Education is the surest vehicle to upward mobility, but the President’s budget cuts TRIO, Work Study, SEOG, and other student aid that provides access to college to so many students.” – Dr. Herman Felton Jr., President, Wiley College, Marshall, TX

“An important role of federal funding is providing equitable access for all learners.  As an essential part of a learning community that prepares students for college, career, and life, school libraries provide equity for all learners by extending internet access, digital and print resources, rich learning experiences, literary endeavors, and technology access.  School librarians teach collaboratively with classroom teachers and give learners voice and choice.  Rather than supporting this important resource and providing guidance to states that would operationalize the need for school librarians, the proposed budget does not identify school librarians as critical to successful schools and eliminates the Institute for Museum and Library Services, title funding that supports professional learning for school librarians and teachers, and various literacy programs within the Department of Education.” – Kathryn Roots Lewis, Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology, Norman Public Schools, Norman, OK, and President, American Association of School Libraries

“Kentucky’s New Skills for Youth initiative is aimed at connecting students to high-skill, high-demand careers by blending their K-12 education with postsecondary education, training, and industry certification opportunities.  Despite the growing need, federal support for Career and Technical Education (CTE) has fallen short of what is necessary to prepare a 21st century workforce.  With greater support for CTE, apprenticeships, and other workforce development programs, students across the country would have greater access to accelerated career pathways and work-based learning that is coordinated to the needs of their regional communities.” – Leslie Slaughter, State Coordinator, New Skills for Youth Initiative, Frankfort, KY

“We know that reaching children early with educational resources makes a difference in their ability to enter school ready to learn, and that providing needed services and interventions early is much more effective – and less costly – than providing it later in their schooling. Students in Vermont benefit from federal education funding in many ways – where it helps fill gaps in education funding from the state and localities, addressing specific needs for students and teachers in rural schools as well as in cities like South Burlington.  The cuts in the President’s budget would take away necessary resources that help students, teachers, and Vermont communities.” – David Young, Superintendent, South Burlington School District, Burlington, VT

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The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) is the nation’s oldest and largest education coalition, providing a strong and unified voice in support of increasing federal investments in education. CEF’s 110 members include educational associations, institutions, agencies, organizations, and businesses representing the continuum of education – including early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, higher education, adult and career technical education, and educational enhancements such as libraries and museums – including students, teachers and faculty, parents, administrators, counselors and other school employees, and school board members. In addition to publishing its budget book, CEF also posts evidence-based fact sheets, charts, and funding tables on its website. For a full copy of the Budget Book, please e-mail Sarah Abernathy at abernathy@cef.org.

For press inquiries contact: Mackenzie Shutler, 714-321-8474 | mshutler@kivvit.com

President Trump’s 2019 Budget Hurts Students and Teachers, Cuts Needed Federal Support for Education, Says Committee for Education Funding (CEF) Analysis

Budget cuts would impact learning and access to education across the continuum, according to practitioners

WASHINGTON, DC – The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), the nation’s oldest and largest education coalition, today released its annual analysis of the president’s education budget.  CEF shared the findings at a Capitol Hill briefing where education practitioners described how some of the major cuts in the President’s proposed budget would affect learning and teaching across the education continuum – from early education to K-12 education to higher education, including adult education and afterschool programs.

President Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget cuts funding for Department of Education programs by $7.7 billion (11 percent) below the level Congress recently provided for the current year, and cuts student loans by $203 billion over ten years.  The budget also sharply cuts funding for other education-related programs that support wraparound services and workforce development.

“The President’s budget flies in the face of the choices Congress made this spring to increase the overall level of non-defense discretionary funding and to invest some of the increase in federal education programs. After close to 10 years of holding education funding at a virtual freeze, last month Congress increased education funding by $3.9 billion, providing significant increases for many of the programs that the President’s budget would eliminate,” said CEF Executive Director Sheryl Cohen.

“This budget reflects the Administration’s ongoing effort to diminish the federal government’s role in education by slashing support for public education and training programs with proven track records,” noted CEF President Jeff Carter, Senior Policy Advisor to the National Coalition for Literacy.  “The budget’s few increases are targeted to school choice, including federal support for private schools, while making deep cuts to essential programs that students, schools, and communities rely on.”

Investments in education account for less than 2 percent of the federal budget, but the President’s budget cuts that share even further. It outright eliminates close to 30 programs that Congress just funded at $6.9 billion, including the main federal program for teacher and principal hiring and training, the federal afterschool program, one of the largest sources of grant aid to help low-income students go to college, and the newly created block grant designed to support a range of elementary and secondary education services, among other key programs.

Each year CEF publishes a detailed, program-by-program analysis of the President’s budget request for education programs, complete with charts and tables showing the funding history and illustrating the reach and impact of federal education investments. The book is a resource for Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as for others interested in understanding the importance and scope of federal education programs and services.

To illustrate the importance of federal education funding and highlight the local impact of the President’s proposed cuts, CEF hosted a panel today on Capitol Hill of education practitioners with experience implementing early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, adult education, postsecondary education, and afterschool programs.

Educators shared today the impact the budget would have locally:

“I see every day how early childhood education makes a huge difference in the lives of students and families in West Virginia – it’s one of the best investments we can make.  Federal funds help fill gaps in education funding from the state and localities, and the cuts in the President’s budget will make it that much harder to ensure that all children arrive at school ready to learn.” – Linda Palenchar, Ed.D., Director of Preschool Programs and Special Education, Fayette County Schools, Fayetteville, WV

“With state and local funding stretched thin, any cut in federal education funding directly impacts the kids I teach and the ability of all teachers to do their jobs.  Last year I spent $3000 of my own money on supplies for my students, but my classroom still doesn’t have the basics it needs – not even enough books or desks.  Every dollar of federal support for teachers, training, curriculum development, counselors, and special education services is important and makes a real difference in my school and to the students we’re teaching.” – Melissa Smith, teacher, U.S. Grant High School, Oklahoma City, OK

“Almost all the students at Heritage University rely on federal student aid – we’re a small non-profit university in the Yakima Nation with a student population that is 70% Latino and 15% Native American, and more than 90% are first-generation college students. The cuts to important grant and loan programs in the President’s budget – to TRIO, the maximum Pell grant, SEOG, among others – jeopardize students’ ability to obtain a college education, which today is a financial imperative.” – Andrew Sund, Ph.D., President, Heritage University, Toppenish, WA 

“In Central Alabama, there are more than 92,000 adults who are considered functionally illiterate. On a daily basis, we see the impact of illiteracy. It affects poverty, healthcare, education, employment, workforce quality, and access to resources. We also see the generational effects of illiteracy and the resulting poverty cycling from parents to children. Without programs like ours, people have few options to address their challenges. Adult education programs provide the literacy skills and opportunities people need to better their lives, our communities, and our nation. Funding is critical for adult education.” – Steve Hannum, Director of Literacy Initiatives, The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, Birmingham, AL

“Afterschool programs play an important role in building strong communities by supporting working families, while promoting children’s academic success and motivation through project-based learning that focuses on connecting college and career applications.  The President’s proposal to eliminate all federal support for afterschool programs will have a dramatic impact – in Tennessee, many of the programs would just disappear.” – Sindy Dawkins-Schade, President, SHADES of Development, Knoxville, TN

Budget Cuts to be Felt Across the Education Spectrum, According to Practitioners

WASHINGTON, DC – The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), the nation’s oldest and largest education coalition, today released its annual analysis of the President’s education budget. CEF shared the findings at a Capitol Hill briefing where education practitioners outlined the major local impacts of the President’s proposed cuts across the education continuum.

The President’s fiscal year 2018 budget disinvests in education, cutting more than $9 billion in federal appropriations for preschoolers, students in elementary school, children who use afterschool programs, high schoolers seeking preparation for the workforce, adult learners, teachers and school leaders, schools and institutions, and low-income Americans who rely on federal aid to go to college. The President’s budget also eliminates funding for education-related services including libraries and museums, and cuts student loans by $143 billion over ten years.

“Investing in education pays dividends immediately and in the long term. To keep America strong and prepared to compete in the global economy, we should be increasing – not cutting – the federal investment in education,” said CEF Executive Director Sheryl Cohen.

Each year CEF publishes a detailed, program-by-program analysis of the President’s budget request for education programs, complete with charts and tables showing the funding history and illustrating the reach and impact of federal education investments. The book is a resource for Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as for others interested in understanding the importance and scope of federal education programs and services.

“Investments in education currently account for only 2 percent of the federal budget, and the President’s request reduces the share even further as part of a deep, multi-year cut in nondefense discretionary funding,” said CEF President Jocelyn Bissonnette, Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS). “Drastic cuts to federal education investments will reduce opportunities for students across the education spectrum, impacting student achievement, graduation rates, college affordability, and workforce readiness.”

To illustrate the importance of federal education funding and highlight the local impact of the President’s proposed cuts, CEF hosted a panel today on Capitol Hill of education practitioners with experience implementing education programs for early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, adult education and workforce training, and postsecondary student aid, as well as an advocate from PTA.

Educators shared today the impact the budget would have locally:

“Federal support for special education only covers 15 percent of the additional cost of educating students with disabilities, which is far below the 40 percent promised when Congress enacted IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Without an increased federal investment, state and local education budgets have to make up the shortfall, which limits their ability to finance other education services.  We know that as a result of this shortfall, local and state funds must cover the costs of IDEA programming thus preventing LEAs from expanding in other areas, especially early childhood.” – Phyllis Wolfram, Executive Director of Special Programs for Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MO, and President-Elect, Council of Administrators of Special Education

“Students in WV and all of Appalachia desperately need the funds provided through federal education funding.  Our local resources are limited due to a low tax base; and our children’s needs our great.  Federal dollars help us provide some of the specialized help we need for these youngsters.” – Deborah Akers, Superintendent, Mercer County Schools, Mercer County, WV

“The President’s budget would impose devastating cuts to important federal financial aid programs that allow low-income students to attend college and attain their degrees. These cuts jeopardize the next generation of young workers. In particular, Federal Work-Study and the Federal Perkins Loan assist low- and middle-income students in different ways in their pursuit of a higher education.” – Heather Boutell, Director of Financial Aid, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

“Our goal is to provide the same high-quality adult education and workforce services to all areas – rural, suburban, and urban – and that can’t happen when federal support is drastically cut.  We’ve already seen funding cuts, and witnessed the erosion of our workforce development infrastructure, particularly in the more rural areas. The President’s budget would make it much harder to serve the 250,000 people in the many counties we cover.” – Jan McKeel, Executive Director, South Central TN Workforce Alliance, Spring Hill, TN

“In New Jersey and across the country, there are great disparities in available resources and access to quality education programs. Cutting funding for public education would further undermine opportunity for all children. Greater investments in public education programs that promote equity and opportunity are critical to ensure every child reaches their full potential.” – Rose Acerra, President, New Jersey PTA