When major funding cuts are proposed at the federal level, it’s easy for headlines to create confusion about what’s actually happening and how it affects schools on the ground. With recent news about reductions in education funding, particularly around afterschool programs, we wanted to cut through the noise and provide a clear, fact-based breakdown of what these budget changes really mean.
Many school administrators are wondering: Will my district lose funding? Will afterschool programs be forced to scale back? What about other key education services?
To help answer these questions, we’ve carefully reviewed the proposed budget, examined its impact on 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), and California’s After School Education and Safety (ASES) program. We also summarized the broader implications for K-12 education.
Here’s what you need to know:
Impact on Afterschool Programs (21st CCLC, ASES & ELO-P)
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21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC): This federal after-school program’s funding has been frozen at about $1.329 billion in recent budget proposals. In other words, Congress is considering keeping 21st CCLC at last year’s funding level instead of increasing it. With inflation and higher operating costs, flat funding may impact how much students can be served – advocates warn programs may have to cut back hours or activities, or even close sites, without additional support.
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After School Education and Safety (ASES) program: ASES is funded at the state level , so federal Department of Education cuts do not directly reduce its budget. California has kept ASES funding roughly stable at around $650 million per year (it was $550 million for a decade, then raised to ~$650 million).
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California Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO-P) program: ELO-P is also funded by the state of California , so federal Department of Education cuts do not directly reduce its budget.
Scale of the Proposed Budget Changes
The U.S. Department of Education’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes a funding level of approximately $72 billion , which is about 11% lower than the FY2024 level—a decrease of $10–11 billion.
These proposed adjustments are part of broader efforts to align spending with the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act , which placed caps on non-defense discretionary spending. House leaders have focused on maintaining education funding within these limits, leading to potential reductions across multiple programs.
While some programs may see funding decreases or restructuring, the full impact will depend on the final budget negotiations between the House and Senate. School administrators should stay informed as discussions progress, as advocacy and public input could influence the final outcome.
Programs and Initiatives Under Proposed Budget Adjustments
The current House proposal includes funding changes across multiple education programs , with some areas seeing reductions while others remain steady or receive small increases. Here’s a summary of key adjustments:
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Title I (Support for High-Poverty Schools): Proposed funding is 25% lower than the previous year —a reduction of $4.7 billion. This could affect staffing and resources in schools that serve low-income communities.
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21st CCLC (Afterschool Programs): Funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers remains unchanged at $1.329 billion. While this is not a reduction , it does not account for rising costs, which may limit program expansion or the number of students served.
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Title II-A (Teacher Professional Development & Class Size Reduction): Funding for this program would be eliminated —a reduction of $2.2 billion. This could impact teacher training and recruitment efforts.
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Title III (Support for English Learners): Proposed funding elimination of $890 million , potentially affecting bilingual education and ESL services.
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Full-Service Community Schools: Proposed 50% reduction from $150 million to $75 million. This could limit access to wraparound services such as health, nutrition, and afterschool programs in high-need schools.
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School-Based Mental Health Grants: Proposed reduction of $124 million , leaving only $50 million for mental health services in schools. This could result in fewer counselors and psychologists available to students.
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Higher Education (Work-Study Programs): Proposed 50% reduction in federal work-study funding, bringing it down to $615 million , which may limit on-campus job opportunities for college students.
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AmeriCorps & Workforce Training: The proposal eliminates federal funding for AmeriCorps and youth workforce grants under WIOA , removing over $1.5 billion in support for national service and job training programs.
Areas That Remain Funded or See Modest Increases
While many programs face reductions, a few areas retain funding or receive slight increases:
- Special Education (IDEA) State Grants: A $30 million increase is proposed, keeping support in place for students with disabilities.
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Grants: Funding would rise by $10 million , supporting vocational and skills-based education programs.
- Pell Grants for College Students: The maximum Pell Grant award remains at $7,395 , ensuring no reduction in financial aid for students.
Official Statements and Analysis
The proposed education funding cuts have prompted strong reactions and analyses from educators, policymakers, and advocates:
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Education Leaders’ Warnings: Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has cautioned against such deep cuts, arguing that we should be increasing access to these programs, not cutting it off. In a letter to Congress, Cardona warned that the House’s broader budget framework could mean a 22% cut to education programs like 21st CCLC, calling that a potentially “grim reality” for students. Similarly, Phillip Lovell of the advocacy group All4Ed described the House’s FY25 proposal as having severe consequences for students and educators, especially hurting the most vulnerable populations.
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Afterschool Program Advocates: Providers of after-school and summer programs have been vocal about the impact. Jodi Grant , Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, expressed disappointment with flat funding for 21st CCLC at $1.3 billion. Grant explained that programs will be forced to cut back or close as costs skyrocket and pandemic relief winds down. This highlights that even level funding is inadequate to meet growing need.
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Lawmakers’ Responses: Democrats in Congress have characterized the cuts as an attack on public education. Ranking Appropriations Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) called it an assault on education that would obstruct children’s path to the American dream. She and others pointed out that slashing Title I by one-quarter undermines support for low-income students. On the other hand, House Republican leaders defend the cuts as a return to fiscal discipline. Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized maximizing results and benefits for taxpayer dollars. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), who oversees the education funding subcommittee, focused on restoring fiscal responsibility. In their view, reducing spending and eliminating programs they deem ineffective is necessary to rein in federal budgets.
Future Outlook
It’s important to note that this is just one step in the budget process. The Senate must also draft its version, and early indications were that senators would set higher funding levels for education. In fact, the two chambers will need to negotiate a compromise, so the final budget could soften some of these cuts. Last year’s experience is instructive - an initial 80% Title I cut proposal was abandoned, and the program received a small increase instead. Nevertheless, the House’s FY2025 plan shows the scale of cuts on the table. Education stakeholders are closely watching and urging Congress to reconsider deep cuts to critical programs. The final budget negotiations will determine whether these proposed reductions take effect or if funding is partially restored.
