AFT President criticizes Trump's executive order on school funding
Trump's Executive Order Faces Criticism from AFT
WASHINGTON—Following reports of President Trump's potential executive order on education funding, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), expressed strong opposition. The order aims to direct federal funds from public schools to private entities.
Randi Weingarten stated, “Americans of all political stripes want safe and welcoming public schools where kids are engaged and have the knowledge and skills to thrive in careers, college and life.” She criticized the proposal as a threat to public education, describing it as a "ham-fisted, recycled and likely illegal scheme" that undermines the resources needed for public schools.
Weingarten argued that vouchers primarily benefit affluent families already attending private schools. This redirection of federal money, according to her, weakens the public education system by diverting funds away from crucial literacy and arts programs and diminishing support for community schools. She highlighted the potential negative impacts on the Department of Defense schools and the Bureau of Indian Education schools, both of which she noted are already facing challenges.
She further noted, “Voters overwhelmingly rejected billionaire-backed voucher scams in November—even in states Trump won—because they know vouchers hurt student achievement, bankrupt state budgets and deny opportunity to rural and urban communities.”
Despite the controversy, Weingarten expressed hope that the order would rally parents and educators to defend public education. She lamented the necessity of such a struggle, emphasizing that the focus should be on strengthening schools attended by the majority of American children.
The AFT, representing 1.8 million members including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, higher education faculty, and other school-related personnel, stands firm in its commitment to advocate for public schools and oppose measures seen as detrimental to their mission.
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