September 26, 2025
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Federal budget fight threatens K‑12 funding

Three competing FY2026 funding plans from the White House, House Republicans and the Senate set up a fight over federal K‑12 education dollars. The White House plan would cut Education Department funding by about 15% — eliminating $1.3 billion for English learners and migrant students and consolidating roughly $6.5 billion across 18 streams down to $2 billion — while the House GOP proposal would cut Title I by $4.7 billion; the Senate proposal would make only minor reductions. Analysts warn the cuts would disproportionately harm high‑poverty districts and certain congressional districts.

Education Politics Economy

📰 Sources (1)

What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget
NPR by Cory Turner September 26, 2025
New information:
  • White House FY2026 proposal: 15% cut to Education Department funding; eliminates $1.3 billion for English‑language learners and migrant students.
  • White House consolidates ~18 separate streams (rural schools, civics, at‑risk youth, students experiencing homelessness) from roughly $6.5 billion to $2 billion.
  • House Republican proposal: $4.7 billion reduction to Title I (which currently provides about $18 billion to low‑income school districts); Senate proposal would largely preserve funding with only modest cuts.