AFT President Condemns Trump's Threat to Withhold Title I Funds

Trump Administration's Federal Aid Conditions Spark Controversy

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration has recently issued a memorandum threatening to cut off billions in federal Title I funding to school districts unless they comply with specific policy directives. This announcement has drawn strong criticism from AFT President Randi Weingarten.

Weingarten criticized the timing of the administration's action, highlighting that it places undue pressure on school districts in the midst of an academic year. She argued that the administration is using federal funds as leverage to enforce political agendas, affecting millions of students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Questions have arisen about how these conditions could impact various educational activities. Weingarten asked, “If a school’s reading specialist is using a book the president doesn’t like, is the federal government going to deny the district funding for after-school care? If a school is celebrating Jewish Heritage Month or Juneteenth, does it lose tutoring support? If an educator is teaching about Jim Crow, is summer school now in jeopardy?”

Weingarten pointed out the irony in the administration's actions, noting that while it seeks to reduce the Department of Education's influence, it simultaneously attempts to dictate curricular specifics. This, she claims, represents both a "power grab" and an illegal act.

The memo references SFFA v. Harvard as its legal basis, a case involving higher education, not K-12 schools. Weingarten mentioned previous legal action against the administration, such as a lawsuit challenging similar efforts. She emphasized that education policies should focus on children's learning rather than political ideology.

Weingarten concluded by urging the administration to focus on supporting public education and vulnerable students, critiquing the current approach as harmful and unjustifiable. She asserted that these measures would face opposition in educational settings, legal courts, and public opinion.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents 1.8 million educators and related staff across various educational and public service sectors.