By: Sarah, Olivia, Jana, and Finn
May 8, 2017
May 8, 2017
About Trump's Ed Budget
Donald Trump has been the talk of the media for the past few months but his plans for education funding have just recently hit the spotlight. These plans have sparked widespread controversy of just who should receive the funds and if Trump made the right decision. While exploring these proposals it’s important to remember that the youth is the future of the nation, they are who will carry our country forward. It’s to be expected that most countries would want to invest in their future by providing younger generations with quality schooling so that their nation can advance, but with Trump reallocating funds within the education budget, is this the case?
According to NPR , the budget would increase funding for charter schools by $168 million, add $250 million for unspecified new school choice programs and increase Title 1's budget by $1 billion to promote and increase schools of choice, which provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to ensure that all students meet state academic standards. However with these additions, the budget would eliminate several programs that provide need-based aid for college students and college preparation programs for low-income and disabled students, like TRIO, federal outreach and student services programs and GEARUP, a competitive grant program that increases the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college, by $193 million. Moreover, $3.9 billion would not be available for Pell Grant funding, which helps millions of students pay for college.
Donald Trump's budget cuts will yield big changes for students who plan on entering college, both positive and negative. He has proposed to combine the nine different types of student loan repayment plans into one policy where borrowers will put 12.5% of their income towards repaying their loans for a 15 year period before they will be eligible for loan forgiveness, when federally-backed student loans may be dismissed, providing the applicant meets the requirements. Currently, the nine different loan repayment plans in place cause a lot of confusion, thus, the simplification of this process will ease that problem and provide a clearer option for borrowers. Nonetheless, 12.5% is a sizable portion of people’s income and 15 years is an overwhelming span of time for student’s who have to take out loans to pay for their higher education. At this time, they are still steadying themselves with adulthood and are in the beginning stages of their career. However, Trump has also proposed to increase the loan forgiveness amounts, which will benefit people in the long run. If adults are able to meet the new loan repayment requirements, this new plan may be worth it if a larger amount of their loan is forgiven, but is this one-size-fits-all plan what’s best for the future of student loans?
It's important to recognize the benefits that may result from the new educational budget. With the allocation of funds from higher education to charter schools, more children will have the opportunity for K-12 schooling. Charter schools often serve in largely urban areas, providing for low income students and children of color, and receive state funding based off enrollment. Each charter school has a different method of teaching and isn't confined to one particular geographic area like public schools are, allowing parents to seek out the best education for their child. Trump’s secretary of education Betsy DeVos believes that “a child should not be limited to a school district based on their family’s income or zip code.” With the expansion of school voucher programs, DeVos plans to have “education dollars follow each child, instead of forcing the child to follow the dollars.” With more funds being funneled into these schools, the startup process will become easier and the schools can focus less time on fundraising and asking for donations and more on actually teaching as well as provide a better quality learning experience. “This funding will allow more high-quality charter schools to open, expand, and replicate ― and will help finance facilities for charter schools ― so that more students have access to the great education they deserve,” said Nina Rees, the president and chief executive of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
The question we need to be asking ourselves is who do we provide for, students in K-12 or those seeking higher education? There is no easy answer. “Our young people are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future,” said congresswoman Debbie Dingell, which leads to an important question: If this is the case for our youth, should the government prioritize the funding of higher education to guarantee a successful future, rather than redirect funds for charter and private schools? Or are charter and private schools more important, providing funds for the less privileged to at least receive a high school education? Whose future do we invest in? What is your stance?
According to NPR , the budget would increase funding for charter schools by $168 million, add $250 million for unspecified new school choice programs and increase Title 1's budget by $1 billion to promote and increase schools of choice, which provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to ensure that all students meet state academic standards. However with these additions, the budget would eliminate several programs that provide need-based aid for college students and college preparation programs for low-income and disabled students, like TRIO, federal outreach and student services programs and GEARUP, a competitive grant program that increases the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college, by $193 million. Moreover, $3.9 billion would not be available for Pell Grant funding, which helps millions of students pay for college.
Donald Trump's budget cuts will yield big changes for students who plan on entering college, both positive and negative. He has proposed to combine the nine different types of student loan repayment plans into one policy where borrowers will put 12.5% of their income towards repaying their loans for a 15 year period before they will be eligible for loan forgiveness, when federally-backed student loans may be dismissed, providing the applicant meets the requirements. Currently, the nine different loan repayment plans in place cause a lot of confusion, thus, the simplification of this process will ease that problem and provide a clearer option for borrowers. Nonetheless, 12.5% is a sizable portion of people’s income and 15 years is an overwhelming span of time for student’s who have to take out loans to pay for their higher education. At this time, they are still steadying themselves with adulthood and are in the beginning stages of their career. However, Trump has also proposed to increase the loan forgiveness amounts, which will benefit people in the long run. If adults are able to meet the new loan repayment requirements, this new plan may be worth it if a larger amount of their loan is forgiven, but is this one-size-fits-all plan what’s best for the future of student loans?
It's important to recognize the benefits that may result from the new educational budget. With the allocation of funds from higher education to charter schools, more children will have the opportunity for K-12 schooling. Charter schools often serve in largely urban areas, providing for low income students and children of color, and receive state funding based off enrollment. Each charter school has a different method of teaching and isn't confined to one particular geographic area like public schools are, allowing parents to seek out the best education for their child. Trump’s secretary of education Betsy DeVos believes that “a child should not be limited to a school district based on their family’s income or zip code.” With the expansion of school voucher programs, DeVos plans to have “education dollars follow each child, instead of forcing the child to follow the dollars.” With more funds being funneled into these schools, the startup process will become easier and the schools can focus less time on fundraising and asking for donations and more on actually teaching as well as provide a better quality learning experience. “This funding will allow more high-quality charter schools to open, expand, and replicate ― and will help finance facilities for charter schools ― so that more students have access to the great education they deserve,” said Nina Rees, the president and chief executive of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
The question we need to be asking ourselves is who do we provide for, students in K-12 or those seeking higher education? There is no easy answer. “Our young people are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future,” said congresswoman Debbie Dingell, which leads to an important question: If this is the case for our youth, should the government prioritize the funding of higher education to guarantee a successful future, rather than redirect funds for charter and private schools? Or are charter and private schools more important, providing funds for the less privileged to at least receive a high school education? Whose future do we invest in? What is your stance?
"Our young people are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future."
-Debbie Dingell
Featured Resource
A deep dive into just what Trump's Department of Education Budget is proposing.
More ResourcesArticle: Washington Post
Funding Boost For School of Choice Learn the differing opinions of charter schools on Trumps new budget plan. Video: YouTube Arnold Schwarzenegger Accuses Trump's Budget Schwarzeneggar speaks out against Trump's Education Budget cuts, accusing him of robbing children blind. Article: The Michigan Daily Decreasing Higher Education Learn just how much President Trump's new budget plan will impact higher education. Article: CNN On Charter Schools Learn how charter schools work and just who they benefit. |
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Should the government prioritize funding of private K-12 education or higher education? Consider which will impact the future of our country more. Whose future do we invest in? Why? #RONow17MySchoolMyFuture
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