All4Ed Flash: Skinny Budget, Bloated Cuts: Trump’s 2026 Education Plan
⚡️ Welcome back to the All4Ed Flash!
In this episode of the Flash podcast, we discuss President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, commonly referred to as the “skinny budget.” Despite its name, this budget is packed with significant cuts that could drastically impact education funding. Join us as we explore the details of the proposed $12 billion reduction to the U.S. Department of Education, the implications for K-12 and higher education, and the potential consequences for programs aimed at ensuring equitable access to education.
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Last week, President Donald Trump released his fiscal year 2026 budget proposal—what’s known in Washington as a “skinny budget.”
But there’s nothing small about the harm it could cause. The plan slashes more than $4.5 billion in K–12 education funding, and in total, proposes a $12 billion—or 15%—cut to the U.S. Department of Education.
The deepest cuts target programs designed to ensure equitable access to education and protect students’ civil rights.
While Title I and special education funding would technically remain flat, the administration proposes combining them into block grants—giving states broad discretion to redirect funds without federal accountability.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon defended the plan, saying it “reflects funding levels for an agency that is responsibly winding down, shifting some responsibilities to the states, and thoughtfully preparing a plan to delegate other critical functions to more appropriate entities.”
In response, All4Ed CEO Dr. Amy Loyd issued a statement, saying:
“President Trump’s proposed budget may be ‘skinny’ in name, but it’s bloated with bad decisions and devastating cuts. At a time when our nation urgently needs bold investments in talent, workforce, and opportunity, this budget dismantles support for students at every stage of life.”
She noted that All4Ed’s bipartisan polling shows Americans overwhelmingly support increased federal investments in education—and this budget flies in the face of that demand.
Among the most harmful proposals: eliminating all federal support for English learners and migrant students, gutting college access programs like TRIO, GEAR UP, and Federal Work Study, and cutting $4.5 billion by consolidating 18 K–12 programs into a single block grant. That means less oversight, fewer protections, and more risk that funds won’t reach the students who need them most.
The budget also zeroes out adult education—shutting the door on working adults who are trying to gain skills, earn credentials, or support their families.
And it’s not just education. The budget proposes deep cuts to Head Start and early childhood care programs through the Department of Health and Human Services and rolls back skills training programs at the Department of Labor—undermining our country’s future workforce.
While the president’s budget is far from final, it does reveal the administration’s priorities—and hints at the road ahead. Congress ultimately holds the power of the purse.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said:
“This preliminary budget proposal is exceptionally light on details we desperately need—but this much is clear: Trump wants to eviscerate programs that matter most to working families.”
Over the coming months, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will hold hearings on the president’s proposal and begin crafting their own spending bills for the fiscal year that begins October 1.
Stay tuned to the All4Ed Flash as we will continue to monitor these developments.
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