Federal Budget/Funding

Read more about how much federal money is spent on K-12 education and its impact
The Supreme Court of the United States is seen on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.
The U.S. Supreme Court, seen on Feb. 27, next week will hear arguments in a challenge to the funding structure of the $4 billion federal E-rate program, which provides discounts to schools to connect to the internet.
Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP
Law & Courts Schools Fear Funding Loss as Supreme Court Weighs E-Rate Case
The justices hear arguments next week in a challenge to the funding structure of the $4 billion program to connect schools to the internet.
Mark Walsh, March 20, 2025
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8 min read
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal Trump Admin. Cuts Library Funding. What It Means for Students
In an executive order last week, the Trump administration mandated the reduction of seven agencies, including one that funds libraries around the country: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Jennifer Vilcarino, March 19, 2025
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5 min read
President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Feb. 5, 2025, before signing an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events. Two federal agencies have found Maine in violation of Title IX for its defiance of that executive order.
Alex Brandon/AP
States Trump Admin. Gives Maine 10 Days to Bar Trans Athletes—or Risk School Funding
The finding of a Title IX violation is a test case of the president's use of federal funds as a cudgel for compliance with executive orders.
Brooke Schultz, March 19, 2025
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6 min read
Vector illustration of a dollar being repaired with tape.
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts Judge Orders Trump Admin. to Restore Teacher-Prep Grants It Slashed
The administration must reinstate funding for all recipients of three federal grants supporting educator development, a judge ruled.
Mark Lieberman, March 17, 2025
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3 min read
Broken and repaired: 3D symbol of a Dollar.
Education Week and Getty
Education Funding What the Latest Federal Funding Law Means for Schools
The new federal spending resolution leaves the door open for continued disruption to federal education funding.
Mark Lieberman, March 17, 2025
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6 min read
031425 Principal Hill Visit 4 BS
Monique Vaz, a legislative aide for Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., meets with Massachusetts principals Stephen Wiltshire, Andrew Rebello, Chris LaBreck, and Mike Rubin (from left to right) on March 12, 2025. Principals across the country were at the U.S. Capitol to ask their representatives to protect school funding.
Courtesy of Mike Rubin
School & District Management Principals Make Nervous Appeals on Capitol Hill: Protect Our Funding
On Capitol Hill, school leaders advocated to sustain federal funding that helps the most vulnerable students in their schools.
Olina Banerji, March 14, 2025
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7 min read
Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at Lowell Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Aug. 22, 2023.
Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at Lowell Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Aug. 22, 2023. A proposal by congressional Republicans would force 24,000 schools out of a program that allows them to serve federally subsidized free school meals to all students, a new analysis finds.
Susan Montoya Bryan/AP
School & District Management Congressional Budget Cuts Threaten Free School Meals for Millions
More than 12 million children could lose access to federally subsidized free school meals if Congress changes program requirements.
Evie Blad & Arianna Prothero, March 13, 2025
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5 min read
Children enjoy lunches provided by the Brownsville Independent School District on June 8, 2016, at the Olivera Park gymnasium in Brownsville, Texas. The local school district provides free lunches to any child under 18 who needs a meal, regardless of their status as a student with the school district.
Children enjoy lunches provided by the Brownsville Independent School District on June 8, 2016, at the Olivera Park gymnasium in Brownsville, Texas. The USDA has terminated funding for a program that allows schools to purchase food from local farmers.
Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald via AP
Federal Trump Admin. Cuts Program That Brought Local Food to School Cafeterias
The $660 million Local Food For Schools program, which was started under President Joe Biden, was canceled for 2025.
Brooke Schultz, March 11, 2025
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5 min read
President Trump signing an executive order.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Can Trump Do That? Which Actions on Education Are Legal, and Which Ones Aren't
A guide to President Trump's actions and whether or not they're legal or constitutional.
Mark Lieberman & Brooke Schultz, March 11, 2025
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14 min read
Student protesters gather inside their encampment on Columbia University campus on April 29, 2024.
Student protesters gather inside an encampment on the Columbia University campus on April 29, 2024. The federal government has terminated $400 million in funds to the Ivy League university although investigations into alleged antisemitic harassment are continuing.
Stefan Jeremiah/AP
Education Funding Trump Axed $400M in Funds for Columbia. Could a School District Be Next?
One legal expert described the move as arbitrary: “How can you predict what arbitrary punishment may come your way?"
Brooke Schultz, March 11, 2025
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7 min read
Photograph of two multi-ethnic women, collaborating on task at a laptop together.
iStock/Getty
Teacher Preparation States Push Forward With Teacher Apprenticeships Amid Funding Uncertainty
Almost every state has launched a registered apprenticeship program for teaching. But amid federal upheaval, their future is uncertain.
Elizabeth Heubeck, March 11, 2025
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6 min read
Master teachers Krysta McGrew and Justin Stewart work with their peers during a 5K cluster meeting at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025.
Master teachers Krysta McGrew and Justin Stewart work with their peers at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025. The Laurens district is among those who lost federal grant funding meant to provide performance-based financial incentives to teachers.
Bryant Kirk White for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Districts Can't Pay Teachers Promised Incentives After Trump Admin. Cuts Funding
Grants meant for teacher and school leader development in high-need schools were abruptly cut by the Trump administration. Districts are looking for other options.
Olina Banerji, March 7, 2025
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8 min read
California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference to announce a lawsuit against the Trump administration over budget cuts to teacher training funds at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building on March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference to announce a lawsuit against the Trump administration over budget cuts to teacher training funds at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building on March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via TNS
Law & Courts 8 States Sue Trump Administration for Cuts to Teacher-Training Grants
Lawsuit claims Trump’s education cuts will worsen teacher shortages in STEM, special ed, and bilingual programs.
Jaweed Kaleem, March 7, 2025
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6 min read
Maine's Democratic Gov. Janet Mills delivers her State of the State address, Jan. 30, 2024, at the State House in Augusta, Maine.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills delivers her State of the State address on Jan. 30, 2024, in Augusta, Maine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found Maine had violated Title IX just four days after Mills told President Donald Trump that she would see him in court over the state's refusal to comply with an executive order seeking to bar transgender girls from girls' sports.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
States Does Title IX Exclude Trans Girls? A State's Defiance of Trump Could Produce an Answer
Maine is the subject of three federal probes after its governor told Trump, "we'll see you in court," over transgender athletes.
Brooke Schultz, March 7, 2025
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7 min read
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