Trump budget part of larger attack on the promise of public education

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ST. PAUL, Minn. March 16, 2017 – President Donald Trump on Thursday released a proposed federal education budget that would cut $9.2 billion, or 13.5 percent, from the U.S. Department of Education. 

News reports indicate the budget would reduce or eliminate grants for teacher training, after-school programs and college tuition aid for students in poverty. The federal budget also includes a $250 million voucher program for use at private and parochial schools. The Minnesota Legislature is considering its own version of a voucher program, which uses the state tax code, and is moving toward stripping certain protections from arbitrary or vindictive layoffs for teachers.

“The mission of public schools has always been to welcome and educate all students, regardless of their needs or their family’s ZIP code, because our country depends on a trained workforce and informed citizens,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “That whole mission is coming under attack in Minnesota and throughout the country.”

“When our leaders should be striving to give all children an adequate and equitable education, too many politicians in Washington and St. Paul are pushing schemes to send children to unaccountable and exclusive private schools, alienate teachers and abandon those students who need good schools the most,” Specht said. “We know the odds are against us, but Minnesota’s educators will continue to stand up for our students and the mission of public education.”

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.