24 JAN 2025 · Welcome to our latest episode, where we dive into the latest news and developments from the Department of Education. This week, we're focusing on the significant budget proposal for fiscal year 2025.
President Biden's budget raises the bar in education by investing in evidence-based strategies and partnerships that will improve outcomes from cradle to career. The fiscal year 2025 Budget requests $82.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education, a $3.1 billion or 4.0 percent increase from the fiscal year 2024 annualized CR level. This investment aims to support academic excellence, eliminate the teacher shortage, and invest in every student’s mental health and well-being[4].
One of the key initiatives is reimagining college and career pathways to provide better opportunities for students to become multilingual and globally competitive. The budget also emphasizes increasing college affordability, completion, and equity, so more Americans can reach their dreams.
But what does this mean for American citizens? The increased funding will provide tools, resources, and assistance to states, districts, and schools to promote academic excellence and wellness for every learner. This includes supporting improved learning conditions by working to eliminate the teacher shortage, a critical issue that affects many communities.
In contrast, there are also concerns about potential policy changes under a different administration. For instance, Project 2025, a blueprint for a second Trump presidency, proposes to dismantle the Department of Education, eliminate Title I funding, and codify discrimination against LGBTQ+ students[1]. This would have devastating impacts on the nation’s most vulnerable students and undermine the academic outcomes of 2.8 million students.
Meanwhile, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released new data collected by the civil rights data collection (CRDC) for the 2021-22 school year, providing an overview of students’ access to educational opportunities in the nation’s public schools[3]. This data is crucial for ensuring equal opportunity in school athletic programs and addressing issues like name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities.
In terms of regulatory actions, the OCR has also issued a fact sheet to clarify how OCR will evaluate equal opportunity in a school’s athletic program under Title IX, when student-athletes receive NIL-related compensation and benefits.
So, what can citizens do? It's essential to stay informed about these developments and engage in public discussions. The Department of Education encourages public input on its proposals, including the budget and regulatory changes.
Looking ahead, we'll be watching for updates on the budget proposal and how it progresses through Congress. For more information, visit the Department of Education's website. And remember, your voice matters in shaping the future of education in America.
Thank you for tuning in. Stay engaged, and we'll see you next time.