White House seeks to cut nation’s only federal after-school program – The Washington Post
Student Cassiyah Hayes reads information on the front door of the media center at George W. Floyd Elementary School in Gadsden, Alabama, where after-school and summer programs are endangered by federal budget cuts. (Andi Rice / For The Washington Post)The White House budget proposal cuts and consolidates programming for high-needs students as part of a $12 billion reduction to Education Department’s spending.
Yesterday at 6:00 a.m. EDT. 5 min
The Trump administration is seeking to cut the only federal after-school programming in the nation.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers,a program created by the federal government, provides roughly $1.3 billion for after-school and summer activities that reach about 1.4 million students nationwide.
The White House budget proposal currently under consideration by Congress would eliminate the program and 17 others thatserve lower-income and under-resourced K-12 studentsas part of a $12 billion cut to the Education Department’s spending next year.
The department would consolidate the 18 programs into a “simplified funding program,” placing the onus on states to determine how to allocate the reduced pool of funds.
Educators and advocates warn that cutting the funds, which supplement state and local education and community-based providers,will lead to hardships for families as well as lower enrollment in after-school and summer activities or cancellation of someprogramming.
“When you take away these programs, you make it really difficult for these working families. They now have to scramble — either cut back on hours, or find another place for their children,” said Erik Peterson, senior vice president for policy at Afterschool Alliance, an education non-profit.
Read more: White House seeks to cut nation’s only federal after-school program – The Washington Post
Source Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/06/28/after-school-program-funding/
#2025 #AfterSchoolLunches #America #Books #DonaldTrump #FederalProgram #Health #History #Libraries #Politics #Resistance #Science #TheWashingtonPost #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates
