NAGC Public Policy Update - March 2025
Posted By John Segota, MPS, CAE, Executive Director
Additional Cuts to Teacher Programs Announced
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced additional cuts in February to federally funded grants for programs that help states recruit, train, and support K-12 classroom teachers. Among the cancellations were over $600 million in grants through the Teacher Quality Partnerships (TQP) program, which is funded by Congress to support preparation of profession-ready teachers for high-need schools and high-need subject areas. TQP funds partnerships between institutions of higher education and high-need schools and districts to “develop master’s-level residency programs or to reform undergraduate preservice preparation programs.” Also cut were contracts under the congressionally funded Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program, which is meant to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting “the implementation of evidence-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators.” ED also canceled $226 million in grants for the Comprehensive Centers Program (CCP), which is funded to provide capacity-building services to State educational agencies, regional educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students, particularly for groups of students with the greatest need.
To read about the TQP, SEED, and CCP, visit their respective pages here.
To read media coverage of the cuts go here.
ED Adjusts Review Process for Federally Funded Charter School Program
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that they will eliminate a Biden-era requirement that ED play a role in oversight of state authorizing decisions regarding the Charter School Program (CSP). The decision reverts the function of ED back to the original statutory authority from 2013, whereby ED plays a very limited role in the oversight of charter school authorizers (which states legislate and give to universities and other entities). The CSP is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as the Every Student Succeeds Act, and is currently funded by Congress at $440 M. The program provides funds to help state-authorized charter schools find suitable facilities, reward high-quality charter schools that form exemplary collaborations with traditional public schools, and invest in other national initiatives that support public charter schools.
Read about the CSP here.
ED Instructs Schools to End Racial Preferences
On February 14, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) advising educational institutions receiving federal funds to cease using race as a factor in admissions, hiring, promotions, compensation, scholarships, discipline, and related areas. The DCL targets programs that promote or support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and notes letter “does not have the force and effect of law and does not bind the public or create new legal standards,” yet warns educational institutions that “…noncompliance could result in investigations and loss of federal funding, with enforcement beginning within 14 days.” In direct response, lawyers who study and teach antidiscrimination law, education law, employment law, constitutional law, and civil rights have issued a joint public letter expressing “concern” that federally funded institutions will “eliminate, or already have eliminated, important DEI initiatives that remain legally defensible and often further institutions’ legal obligations under federal laws. They summarize by noting. “…under prevailing federal civil rights laws and Supreme Court precedent, DEI initiatives that do not employ racial classifications or otherwise limit opportunity to individuals from certain racial groups remain legally secure…[and] urge(s) university leaders not to sacrifice essential and legally defensible DEI initiatives.”
Read the Dear Colleague Letter here.
Read the public response letter here.
Senate Committee Holds McMahon Confirmation Hearing
On February 13, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). In her opening remarks, McMahon pledged to deliver on education-related campaign promises, including focusing on parents and limiting the federal role in education. A question-and-answer session began with HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who asked about early diagnosis of dyslexia, whereby McMahon committed to working with the Chair on his priority. Among many questions related to the Trump campaign promise to shutter ED, Senator Collins (R-ME) asked how oversight and administration of education programs would continue under a reorganization or closure of the Department. McMahon remarked that she would examine whether laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) “might be better served” in other agencies. The plan for other laws was less transparent, and McMahon did offer that ED cannot be eliminated without an act of Congress. Sen. Hassan (D-NH) spent much of her time focused on IDEA, stating, “It takes national commitment to get it [implementing IDEA] done. And that is why so many people are so concerned about this proposal to eliminate the Department. Because they think kids will once again be shoved aside, especially kids with disabilities." Follow-up questions noted the terminations this week of ED employees whose statuses were provisional. McMahon replied that she is not yet privy to personnel practices at ED. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) raised the issue of private school choice and the impact of such models in rural areas with only one school. She asked McMahon what her commitment is to public schools, and the reply was, “Public schools are the bedrock of our society.” In regard to a recent Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) asked how a school knows whether it is running a “DEI” program and noted that the confusion around the definition has resulted in the Department of Defense schools halting Black History Month activities. An area of agreement across the aisle and with the nominee revolved around a shared commitment to promoting and supporting career and technical education that leads to employment. The Committee approved McMahon’s nomination on February 20, and the full Senate is expected to vote on her confirmation on March 3.
To view the hearing or download McMahon’s statement, go here.
Administration Cuts Education Research and Technical Assistant Contracts
On February 13, the Administration canceled $900 million in contracts for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), a major U.S. Education Department (ED) agency responsible for funding education research and maintaining extensive education statistics. Among the eighty-nine canceled contracts are research initiatives that include long-term studies on student learning and research on teaching strategies and support for transition [to career training and college] for youth with disabilities. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP: “the nation’s report card") and the College Scorecard will not be affected, according to the Department. On Friday, ED also announced the additional cancellation of over $350 million in contracts and grants for several Regional Educational Laboratories (REL) and the Equity Assistance Centers (EAC). This includes terminating ten contracts worth $336 million with the RELS, which were intended to support applied research, development, and TA. According to an ED press release, a “review of the contracts uncovered wasteful and ideologically driven spending not in the interest of students and taxpayers.” Further clarification explains, “[the] Department intends to establish new contracts that will meet legal requirements, enhance student learning, and better support school districts, State Departments of Education, and other educational stakeholders.”
Read the REL/EAC press release here.
Think Tank Issues FAQ About Functions of ED
The Center for American Progress (CAP) has released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) brief about the function of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Succinctly captioned, the brief states that ED enhances education by offering guidance and essential support to states, schools, students, and families nationwide. These federal resources contribute to the agency's goal of ensuring equal educational access for everyone. Continuing this work upholds this federal commitment and guarantees equal opportunities, which in turn bolsters the nation’s economy, democracy, and national security. Specific questions include why ED was established, what it does, what it does not do, whether an executive order can eliminate the Department and whether other countries maintain a national-level education agency. CAP also released a related blog post about the key role ED plays in supporting millions of students with disabilities.
Access the FAQ here.
Read the blog here.
Full-Year Continuing Resolution for FY25 Federal Funding “Likely”
With a March 14 deadline looming large -amidst significant partisan disagreements on top line spending for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) appropriations- Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) announced last week that a full year continuing resolution (CR) “was likely.” President Trump also signaled his support for a funding patch, freeing up Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to negotiate. While a deal that would run through September 30 seems doable, hardline conservatives are pushing to codify some of the “most egregious” examples of alleged waste found by Elon Musk’s team in recent personnel firings and contract cancellations made across federal agencies. The White House has already floated a list of examples; however, the idea is a hard ‘no’ for Democrats and when pressed about incorporating controversial cuts as part of the deal, Chair Collins said, “I don’t see how that could work.” Both Thune and Johnson have indicated that finalizing a FY2025 deal is the absolute priority next week as President Trump prepares to make his first address as the 47th President to Congress on March 4 at 9:00 PM ET.
Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing on Federal Investment in K-12 Education
On February 26, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-H) held a hearing to discuss investments in elementary education. Testimony was heard from Ms. Virginia “Ginny” Gentles of the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies; Dr. Lindsey Burke, Director of the Center for Education Policy, The Heritage Foundation and author of the education section of Project 2025; Mr. Robert Kim, Executive Director, Education Law Center; and Ms. Starlee Coleman, President and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. School choice, student performance, protection of special education funding, and allocation of federal dollars for education emerged as the major topics. The majority party and three of four witnesses advocated sending federal dollars back to the states and shifting oversight responsibility for federally required programs out of the U.S. Department of Education to other agencies. Dr. Burke specifically recommended that funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title I should move to Health and Human Services (HHS), data collection for the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) to the Census Bureau, and Indian Education programs to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Mr. Kim reminded the committee that oversight to ensure all students have free and fair access to public education would be lost if funds were dispersed across agencies.
Watch the hearing and read the testimonies here.
ED Launches ‘End DEI’ Portal
On February 27th, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched a portal for parents, students, teachers, and the broader community to report instances of discrimination based on race or gender in publicly funded K-12 schools. The Department will use these community reports to identify potential cases for further investigation.
Read the announcement here.
