Today, I had the opportunity to testify before Senator Hirono and the Senate Democratic Caucus on the effects of the Great American Heist on students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and public education in the United States. Through the Great American Heist — the largest transfer of wealth in American history — the current administration has illegally stolen more than $5 billion that Congress already approved for students and local school communities. As students go back to school in just a few weeks, they may not see locked doors — but they will find fewer, if any, enrichment programs, nurses, school counselors, and special-needs specialists.

85% of school districts have programs and positions that may be cut because of the Great American Heist. For many of these districts, it will soon be too late, or it is already too late, to save unfunded programs and positions

About 85% of school districts have programs and positions that may be cut because of the Great American Heist. For many of these districts, it will soon be too late, or it is already too late, to save unfunded programs and positions. By August 15th, 73% of districts will have to inform parents about whether enrichment, extracurricular, or other activities can continue in the 2025-26 school year.

I want to share just a few of the potential cuts that were discussed during my testimony:

• 100 teacher and staff positions in Memphis-Shelby County public schools
• Literacy initiatives for K-3 students with disabilities in Delaware
• Girls Who Code and other technology certification programs in Maryland
• English language supports for about 30,000 English learners in the Denver Public Schools

For under-resourced districts, such as the Cicero School District 99 in Illinois, the Great American Heist may simply mean no STEM, music, band, choir, clubs, or intramural activities. Schools and districts serving populations comprised of students of color and students from low-income communities simply have no rainy-day funds to access when the federal government abandons them. And rather than support the 90% of students who attend the nation’s public schools, this administration would rather create a permanent, uncapped 1-for-1 tax credit for vouchers for wealthy students, 90% of whom are already attending private and religious schools — another transfer of wealth, and a waste of billions of dollars.

We at EdTrust are ready to fight for the future of public education and reimagine education where investments are increased, civil rights are enforced, privatization is rejected, and opportunities are expanded for students of color and students from low-income and working-class families at every level and in every zip code.