What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget

"The battle over next year's federal education budget has begun. Congress and the White House have released not one, not two, but three competing funding visions for the nation's K-12 schools in fiscal year 2026. And education researchers warn that two of those three proposals from the White House and House Republicans would impose steep cuts on some of the United States' most vulnerable students and disadvantaged school communities."

"First up, President Trump's proposed budget would cut U.S. Department of Education funding by 15%. It would eliminate all funding ($1.3 billion) for English language learners and migrant students. It would also combine 18 funding streams including help for rural schools, civics education, at-risk youth and students experiencing homelessness and cut them from roughly $6.5 billion down to $2 billion."

Three proposals outline federal K-12 funding for fiscal 2026: the White House plan, a House Republican plan, and a Senate plan. The White House proposal cuts Department of Education funding by 15%, eliminates $1.3 billion for English learners and migrant students, and consolidates 18 funding streams from roughly $6.5 billion to $2 billion. The House Republican plan proposes deeper cuts, including a $4.7 billion reduction to Title I aid for low-income schools. The Senate proposal would make minor cuts and largely maintain current funding. Federal aid represents about 11% of school budgets, with larger impacts in low-income districts.

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