Trump cut $168 million from school funding, leaving kids to return to schools gutted of key care programs

The Trump administration has slammed the brakes on a federal education grant, abruptly canceling $168 million in funding for vital community school programs across 11 states and D.C. The Education Department confirmed the sudden mid-December cutoff happened because the grant applications included language referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a focus that President Trump’s administration says doesn’t align with its current priorities.

This decision is a huge blow, especially for students who rely on these services the most. Advocates say the cancellations immediately cut off funding for crucial programs like after-school clubs, tutoring, dental exams, and mental health care. The money was officially suspended on January 1, leaving principals and superintendents scrambling for spare cash, which is brutal in the middle of a school year when funds are hardest to find.

For places like Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration (FAME) in New Haven, Connecticut, the impact was immediate and painful. According to the Washington Post, when over 400 children returned from winter break, they found that several key programs were cancelled. The school lost the care coordinator who helped families navigate crises. Additionally, a class for parents seeking child care center certification had been scrapped.

Anything that impacts kids impacts our future

FAME’s principal, Marisol Rodríguez, emphasized how critical these programs are for her community, where most students speak Spanish and three-quarters qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. She explained that the after-school clubs are an “extension of our school day” that provides experiences families might not otherwise be able to afford. She added, “They look forward to it, and it keeps the kids off the streets.”

The Education Department is justifying the move by stating that the ended grants clashed with the Trump administration’s focus on “prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education.” Agency press secretary Ellen Keast stated that many of these grants “use overt race preferences or perpetuate divisive concepts and stereotypes, which no student should be exposed to.”

Research indicates that well-implemented community schools boost attendance, improve test scores, reduce disciplinary incidents, and address real-world needs beyond academics. They cover adult classes, laundry services and supplementary meals for families that struggle so that the students have a safe space to learn and succeed, without having to be stressed about their homes.

Beyond the loss of school art programs that are ‘safe spaces’ for some students, the loss of staff is devastating. Keishla Sanchez, who was laid off from her job as a care coordinator at FAME, helped one family navigate immigration documents and eventually obtain a green card. In response, state leaders are scrambling to secure emergency funding to preserve programs through the next school year.

The worst part is that most Republicans didn’t even know which government services were going to face funding cuts when they voted to reduce national spending. In addition to hitting schools and farmers, it has also hit National Security. My guess is that they will soon have work to fix things.