July 7, 2025 • 4 mins
Listeners, the biggest headline from the Department of Education this week is the Trump administration’s decision to pause over $6 billion in congressionally-appropriated federal funding for educational programs nationwide. This abrupt halt affects grants supporting after-school programs, teacher training, English language learning, and services for migrant and low-income students, just as schools across the country prepare budgets and staffing for the upcoming academic year. According to a Department memo obtained by ABC News, funding earmarked for programs like professional development and after-school enrichment is now under review, with no timeline given for when—or if—these funds will be released.
The Department explained to grantees that this review is part of ensuring taxpayer resources align with presidential priorities and the agency's legal responsibilities. However, few details have been provided, leaving many states, including New York, scrambling to adjust. New York alone is seeing a freeze of $464 million, with nearly half of that affecting the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide vital before-and-after-school programs for families in high-poverty districts. A memo from the State Education Department reassured that summer programming is protected for now, thanks to a Congressional resolution, but called the federal delay troubling and urged school leaders to contact their Congressional representatives.
At the national level, this move arrives amid broader efforts by the administration to reshape or even dismantle the Department of Education. In March, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of Education to take steps toward closing the department, though any full closure would require Congressional approval—a prospect that currently lacks support. While the administration claims this review addresses the misuse of government funds, critics, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, warn that grant cancellations and staff cuts could severely restrict student services and undermine achievement, particularly for those with disabilities or in underserved communities.
The impacts are immediate and wide-ranging. American families and students, especially in high-need districts, face uncertainty about whether essential programs will continue. Businesses and organizations that partner with schools may see contract delays or cancellations. State and local governments are left to fill funding gaps—if they can—while trying to make sense of shifting federal priorities. Internationally, these moves could affect the U.S.'s reputation as an education leader, especially in areas tied to global partnerships or research.
As education advocacy groups point out, decisions on fiscal year 2025 grants, including the crucial Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, remain in flux. The Administration’s Office of Management and Budget states the pause is due to an “ongoing programmatic review,” but no clear timeline has been offered. For now, educators and communities are watching anxiously, with the Supreme Court expected to address related legal challenges, including proposed layoffs within the Department.
Listeners, if you’re concerned about these developments, your input can still make a difference. State officials recommend contacting your Congressional representatives to express your views on how federal funding shapes local learning opportunities. For updates, keep an eye on Department of Education announcements and reputable education news sources.
We’ll be tracking this story for you as it develops. Thank you for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay informed on the latest in education policy and news. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The Department explained to grantees that this review is part of ensuring taxpayer resources align with presidential priorities and the agency's legal responsibilities. However, few details have been provided, leaving many states, including New York, scrambling to adjust. New York alone is seeing a freeze of $464 million, with nearly half of that affecting the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide vital before-and-after-school programs for families in high-poverty districts. A memo from the State Education Department reassured that summer programming is protected for now, thanks to a Congressional resolution, but called the federal delay troubling and urged school leaders to contact their Congressional representatives.
At the national level, this move arrives amid broader efforts by the administration to reshape or even dismantle the Department of Education. In March, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of Education to take steps toward closing the department, though any full closure would require Congressional approval—a prospect that currently lacks support. While the administration claims this review addresses the misuse of government funds, critics, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, warn that grant cancellations and staff cuts could severely restrict student services and undermine achievement, particularly for those with disabilities or in underserved communities.
The impacts are immediate and wide-ranging. American families and students, especially in high-need districts, face uncertainty about whether essential programs will continue. Businesses and organizations that partner with schools may see contract delays or cancellations. State and local governments are left to fill funding gaps—if they can—while trying to make sense of shifting federal priorities. Internationally, these moves could affect the U.S.'s reputation as an education leader, especially in areas tied to global partnerships or research.
As education advocacy groups point out, decisions on fiscal year 2025 grants, including the crucial Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, remain in flux. The Administration’s Office of Management and Budget states the pause is due to an “ongoing programmatic review,” but no clear timeline has been offered. For now, educators and communities are watching anxiously, with the Supreme Court expected to address related legal challenges, including proposed layoffs within the Department.
Listeners, if you’re concerned about these developments, your input can still make a difference. State officials recommend contacting your Congressional representatives to express your views on how federal funding shapes local learning opportunities. For updates, keep an eye on Department of Education announcements and reputable education news sources.
We’ll be tracking this story for you as it develops. Thank you for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay informed on the latest in education policy and news. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Listeners. The biggest headline from the Department of Education this
week is the Trump administration's decision to pause over six
billion dollars in congressionally appropriated federal funding for educational programs nationwide.
This abrupt halt affects grants supporting after school programs, teacher training,
English language learning, and services for migrant and low income students,
(00:24):
just as schools across the country prepare budgets and staffing
for the upcoming academic year. According to a Department memo
obtained by ABC News, funding earmarked for programs like professional
development and after school enrichment is now under review, with
no timeline given for when or if these funds will
be released. The Department explained to grantees that this review
(00:47):
is part of ensuring taxpayer resources align with presidential priorities
and the agency's legal responsibilities. However, few details have been provided,
leaving many states, including New York, ambling to adjust. New
York alone is seeing a frieze of four hundred and
sixty four million dollars, with nearly half of that affecting
(01:08):
the twenty first century Community Learning Centers, which provide vital
before and after school programs for families in high poverty districts.
A memo from the state Education Department reassured that summer
programming is protected for now thanks to a congressional resolution,
but called the federal delay troubling and urged school leaders
(01:28):
to contact their congressional representatives at the national level. This
move arrives amid broader efforts by the administration to reshape
or even dismantle the Department of Education. In March, President
Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of Education
to take steps toward closing the department, though any full
(01:51):
closure would require congressional approval, a prospect that currently lacks support.
While the administration claims this review addresses them misuse of
government funds, critics, including the American Speech Language Hearing Association,
warn that grant cancelations and staff cuts could severely restrict
student services and undermine achievement, particularly for those with disabilities
(02:16):
or in underserved communities. The impacts are immediate and wide ranging.
American families and students, especially in high need districts, face
uncertainty about whether essential programs will continue. Businesses and organizations
that partner with schools may see contract delays or cancelations
state and local governments are left to fill funding gaps
(02:38):
if they can, while trying to make sense of shifting
federal priorities Internationally. These moves could affect the US's reputation
as an education leader, especially in areas tied to global
partnerships or research. As education advocacy groups point out, decisions
on fiscal year twenty twenty five grants, including the crucial
(02:59):
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, remain in flux. The
Administration's Office of Management and Budget states the pause is
due to an ongoing programmatic review, but no clear timeline
has been offered. For now. Educators and communities are watching anxiously,
with the Supreme Court expected to address related legal challenges,
(03:21):
including proposed layoffs within the Department. Listeners, If you're concerned
about these developments, your input can still make a difference.
State officials recommend contacting your congressional representatives to express your
views on how federal funding shapes local learning opportunities. For updates,
keep an eye on Department of Education announcements and reputable
(03:45):
education news sources. We'll be tracking this story for you
as it develops. Thank you for tuning in, and don't
forget to subscribe to stay informed on the latest in education,
policy and news. This has been a quiet please production.
For more che check out quiet please dot ai. This
has been a quiet please production. For more checkout quiet,
(04:05):
please dot ai
Listeners. The biggest headline from the Department of Education this
week is the Trump administration's decision to pause over six
billion dollars in congressionally appropriated federal funding for educational programs nationwide.
This abrupt halt affects grants supporting after school programs, teacher training,
English language learning, and services for migrant and low income students,
(00:24):
just as schools across the country prepare budgets and staffing
for the upcoming academic year. According to a Department memo
obtained by ABC News, funding earmarked for programs like professional
development and after school enrichment is now under review, with
no timeline given for when or if these funds will
be released. The Department explained to grantees that this review
(00:47):
is part of ensuring taxpayer resources align with presidential priorities
and the agency's legal responsibilities. However, few details have been provided,
leaving many states, including New York, ambling to adjust. New
York alone is seeing a frieze of four hundred and
sixty four million dollars, with nearly half of that affecting
(01:08):
the twenty first century Community Learning Centers, which provide vital
before and after school programs for families in high poverty districts.
A memo from the state Education Department reassured that summer
programming is protected for now thanks to a congressional resolution,
but called the federal delay troubling and urged school leaders
(01:28):
to contact their congressional representatives at the national level. This
move arrives amid broader efforts by the administration to reshape
or even dismantle the Department of Education. In March, President
Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of Education
to take steps toward closing the department, though any full
(01:51):
closure would require congressional approval, a prospect that currently lacks support.
While the administration claims this review addresses them misuse of
government funds, critics, including the American Speech Language Hearing Association,
warn that grant cancelations and staff cuts could severely restrict
student services and undermine achievement, particularly for those with disabilities
(02:16):
or in underserved communities. The impacts are immediate and wide ranging.
American families and students, especially in high need districts, face
uncertainty about whether essential programs will continue. Businesses and organizations
that partner with schools may see contract delays or cancelations
state and local governments are left to fill funding gaps
(02:38):
if they can, while trying to make sense of shifting
federal priorities Internationally. These moves could affect the US's reputation
as an education leader, especially in areas tied to global
partnerships or research. As education advocacy groups point out, decisions
on fiscal year twenty twenty five grants, including the crucial
(02:59):
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, remain in flux. The
Administration's Office of Management and Budget states the pause is
due to an ongoing programmatic review, but no clear timeline
has been offered. For now. Educators and communities are watching anxiously,
with the Supreme Court expected to address related legal challenges,
(03:21):
including proposed layoffs within the Department. Listeners, If you're concerned
about these developments, your input can still make a difference.
State officials recommend contacting your congressional representatives to express your
views on how federal funding shapes local learning opportunities. For updates,
keep an eye on Department of Education announcements and reputable
(03:45):
education news sources. We'll be tracking this story for you
as it develops. Thank you for tuning in, and don't
forget to subscribe to stay informed on the latest in education,
policy and news. This has been a quiet please production.
For more che check out quiet please dot ai. This
has been a quiet please production. For more checkout quiet,
(04:05):
please dot ai
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