The Republican administration has treated K–12 schools as a target. It ordered the shutdown of the Education Department, slashed staff, and pushed a budget that collapses or eliminates programs students rely on. It froze billions in routine formula funds that districts had already budgeted—delaying after-school and summer programs—then layered on high-profile political directives that threatened schools with the loss of federal money. At the same time, it steered federal support toward vouchers and private options and cut nutrition and community programs that help kids learn.
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¶ Trump and Republicans dismantled the department of education; tried to withhold funds from students
- On March 20, 2025, the President ordered the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education” and to bar remaining programs from advancing DEI or “gender ideology.” (whitehouse.gov)
- The FY2026 “skinny budget” says it “continues the process of shutting down the Department of Education,” consolidating 18 K‑12 programs into a single “K‑12 Simplified Funding Program” and creating a consolidated special‑education grant, while flat‑funding Title I/IDEA. (whitehouse.gov)
- Independent budget analyses report the Education request drops to about $66.7 billion, keeps Title I flat, and consolidates or eliminates many smaller K‑12 programs (including some under Title I’s law such as migrant education). (npr.org)
- In March 2025 the Education Department cut nearly half its workforce as part of the plan to wind down the agency. (cnn.com)
- On June 30, 2025, ED/OMB told states it would not release multiple formula streams due July 1 (Title II‑A, Title III‑A, Title IV‑A/B, Title I‑C), a hold totaling roughly $6–7B that districts had already budgeted. (aasa.org)
- After weeks of disruption, the administration began releasing portions (e.g., Title IV‑B/21st CCLC on July 22) and later others, but with added conditions, confirming material delays for afterschool and summer programs. (afterschoolalliance.org)
¶ Trump and republicans used federal power to force politics into k-12 schools while trying to remove funding from children
- ED reverted nationwide to enforcing the 2020 Title IX rule “on the basis of biological sex,” citing court blocks of the 2024 rewrite, and notified K‑12 systems accordingly. (ed.gov)
- The Feb. 5, 2025 executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” directs agencies to rescind funds from non‑compliant education programs and prioritize enforcement against schools/associations. (whitehouse.gov)
- OCR launched directed investigations into state athletic associations (e.g., Minnesota’s MSHSL and California’s CIF) over policies on transgender participation. (ed.gov)
- OCR issued a final warning to Maine that noncompliance could lead to DOJ action and possible termination of federal education funds. (ed.gov)
- ED announced findings against California’s education agencies under Title IX and secured a resolution with the University of Pennsylvania—illustrating an aggressive, high‑profile enforcement posture touching K‑12 and interscholastic sports. (ed.gov)
¶ Trump and Republicans took money from public school children; gave it to private school children
- A Jan. 29, 2025 order directed ED to issue guidance on how states can use federal formula funds to support K‑12 “scholarship” (voucher/ESA‑style) programs and told ED to prioritize “education freedom” in grants; HHS and DoD were also tasked to channel funds toward private/faith‑based or choice options. (whitehouse.gov)
- The FY2026 proposal boosts federal charter‑school funding and collapses K‑12 streams into simplified grants as part of “shutting down” the department. (whitehouse.gov)
- ED subsequently urged states to use ESEA waiver flexibilities to reduce federal constraints and redirect funds with “less red tape.” (ed.gov)
¶ Trump and republicans cut food meant for k-12 children
- States began shutting down nutrition‑education programs after the elimination of SNAP‑Ed funding in late 2025, ending school‑ and community‑based classes that serve low‑income families. (reuters.com)
- USDA ended pandemic‑era local‑foods purchasing programs that had been supporting K‑12 meal budgets, with districts warning of impacts. (apnews.com)
- The June–July 2025 freeze of 21st Century Community Learning Centers and other Title funds delayed or jeopardized afterschool and summer programs until partial releases weeks later, with local governments documenting the disruption. (afterschoolalliance.org)