The Latest on the US Department of Education Funding and Enrollment Drops
The Secretary of Education said recently that $2 billion will be compressed in block grants to the states. Much of that will be allocated to charters and school choice vouchers. That still leaves about $4.5 billion that was cut. Under oath at her confirmation hearings, the Secretary said that Title 1 would not be cut. She further said that “we will abide by the law,” under withering questioning from Congress. The words “abide by the law” mean, in the view of Congress, that programs and expenditures approved by Congress will be allocated and spent as provided in earlier legislation. Time will tell. Here’s the full article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/us/politics/linda-mcmahon-house-appropriations.html
Cuts in federal funds are not the only source of anxiety for public schools. State funding is largely a function of student enrollment, and those numbers are dropping in many districts. Fewer students mean fewer dollars. This leaves district leaders straining to determine which budget cuts will be least painful. Nationwide, the enrollment drop is approximately 1.4 million students. The percentage of students attending traditional public schools has dropped from 87% to 83% in the past decade. The most significant decline in enrollment takes place in kindergarten and K-8 grades. This will lead to an overall decline in enrollment in K-12 schools. The biggest cities have taken the greatest hits in enrollment. There is little oversight or data tracking of students in homeschool. One researcher called it ”legalized truancy.” Other factors include declining birth rates and fewer immigrants enrolling students in school. Some school districts are taking direct action to learn about why students are leaving. Are they still in school? Is there anything we can do to keep you? 100% of missing students were called, and the superintendent personally made calls as well.
Here’s the full article: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/whats-going-on-with-public-school-enrollment-all-the-big-questions-answered/2024/06
A new episode of the Fearless Schools Podcast featuring Dr. Nikki Woodson, the superintendent of the Metropolitan School District in Washington Township, Indianapolis, has been released. She talks about her journey to leadership, the callenges of the superintendency, and the importance of building a diverse and effective team. You can find the latest episode and follow the Fearless Schools Podcast wherever you listen.
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