In these quarterly reports, we showcase the progress that EdTrust, along with our partners, is making to promote education equity and excellence for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds in various states and across the nation.
June 2025 Report
The Great American Heist: Stopping the Theft of Our Students’ Future
At EdTrust, students come first — especially students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. For far too long, they’ve been failed by the American education system. We fight for a high-quality education and defend public schools as a public good. Because when students thrive, our nation thrives.
Unfortunately, in the span of a few months, the Trump administration has launched a full-scale attack on public education — including efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, eliminating student loan protections, and advocating for cuts to Pell Grants, Medicaid, SNAP, mental health supports, and more. They are also trying to funnel public dollars into private vouchers. This isn’t good governance. It’s the greatest theft of opportunity in modern history. This is the Great American Heist.
The fact is, this administration is not just stealing dollars. They’re stealing futures, robbing young people of their dreams, security, and the chance to live the life of their choice, while supporting their families and themselves. But we won’t back down. Public education belongs to all of us. We’re not letting up and we won’t grow weary. It’s up to all of us to STOP THE GREAT AMERICAN HEIST.
Highlights of Our Latest Work
Reports, Briefs, Campaigns
Briefs
5 Ways to Create Fair School Funding Formulas
Report
The Impacts of the Los Angeles Wildfires: Lessons for Schools Nationwide
Brief
Why Environmental Justice Is Educational Justice
Compilation
Defending Education Equity: The Impact of White House Directives
Data Tool
Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs: A 50-State Scan
Advocacy Guide
The Next Threat to Education: Congress’ Budget Reconciliation
In the Media
EdTrust’s work was featured in numerous media outlets including CNN, NPR, Los Angeles Times, The Hechinger Report and the Washington Post.
For more media coverage, see our In the News section.
On the Blog
Recent blog posts featured on our website include:
Getting To & Through College in the Time of Trump
The Great American Heist Comes for Science: How NSF Cuts Threaten Our R&D Future
The Hidden Costs of School Voucher Programs: A Community’s Story
The Great American Heist: Taxing Education, Not Billionaires or Corporations
State Offices
Midwest
EdTrust-Midwest gained attention with its 2025 State of Michigan Education Report, Meeting the Moment, which provided new data on how state leaders can navigate this turbulent period for public schools. We also issued a three-point “Opportunity for All Plan” to address the underinvestment in Michigan’s schools and unveiled a new Student Opportunity Tracker, which tracks investments for students from low-income backgrounds against those in leading states.
MidwestNew York
In June, EdTrust-New York released a poll and focus group findings showing that most New Yorkers are dissatisfied with the state of education and view transparency as essential to improving it. The findings highlight how a statewide data system can protect privacy and support meaningful family engagement. Additionally, we released a literacy report calling for bold, research aligned strategies to support older students struggling with reading. Despite extensive evidence supporting the Science of Reading, students in grades 6-12 continue to be left behind, especially those from underserved groups.
New YorkTennessee
EdTrust-Tennessee’s annual Ten for Tennessee award reception, brought together lawmakers, partners, and students to network and celebrate policy solutions that advance educational opportunity and access. With over 150 attendees, the event showcased our impact and laid a foundation for future advocacy. We’re also shaping the conversation around school funding in the South through The Fair Share, a new video series from Southerners for Fair School Funding powered by EdTrust-Tennessee.
TennesseeWest
EdTrust-West released Black Minds Matter: Building Bright Black Futures. The 10-year update to our landmark report highlights ongoing disparities for Black students in California. We also shared the much-anticipated, Equity 8, the top eight proposed bills for advancing education equity in the state. The highlighted bills would boost educator diversity and college access and protect the right to education for undocumented and mixed-status students.
WestIn the States
EdTrust in Louisiana
EdTrust in Louisiana has worked to support policy priorities that create equitable opportunities for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. To engage our communities, we’ve produced resources such as Chalk Talk, which tracks education bills during the legislative session and helps advocates engage with state legislators. We also penned an op-ed that highlights efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. We also partnered with EBR Readiness on a program that provides alternative pathways for young people.
EdTrust in Massachusetts
To raise awareness about the growing literacy crisis in our state and equip advocates, we launched the #LiteracyIsLiberation campaign in March as part of the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership. It comprises a comprehensive website, a user-friendly data dashboard, and advocacy toolkits designed to empower families and communities to act. Our team is addressing another overlooked issue: the escalating numeracy crisis. In April, we published a brief on The State of Math in Massachusetts, which draws on data and parent perspectives to paint a picture of the challenges and offer recommendations aimed at improving math outcomes for all students.
EdTrust in Texas
With the 89th legislative session gaveling out on June 2, we are celebrating major policy wins culminating from the tireless advocacy of our Texas team, coalition partners, and the student, educator, and parent leaders we’ve directly supported. Throughout the fast-paced 140-day session, we contributed to countless office visits, Capitol Days, and testimonies in Austin, while consistently delivering updates and insights to advocates statewide. Our team helped champion a historic $8.5-billion increase in public education funding that includes landmark investments in teacher preparation and compensation, early learning interventions, and special education.
Coalition Work
In Kentucky, EdTrust supported the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence in the unanimous passage of an advanced coursework bill, requiring local education agencies to develop an accelerated learning plan outlining how students in grades 4-12 can access advanced coursework in language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. In Maryland, EdTrust helped protect $3.4 billion in Blueprint funding, organizing a Youth Takeover in Annapolis that mobilized over 250 students. Our assistant director for advocacy & engagement testified against the governor’s budget, which threatened collaborative educator time. Additionally, the Sensitive Locations Act passed, restricting ICE access to critical community spaces. Finally, EdTrust worked with partners and constituents from Kentucky, Delaware, and Maryland to meet with congressional staff in DC, advocating against proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, Pell, and education funding impacting P-12 and higher ed students.
On the Hill
This spring, the government affairs team stayed on high alert and in rapid response mode. We employed sustained, strategic advocacy to counter ongoing threats to education equity. Our budget reconciliation work took center stage through EdTrust’s co-leadership of the College Not Cuts Coalition, a network of advocates, institutions, and student groups. EdTrust’s annual Hill Day in April convened more than 70 state partners and affiliates from across the country, resulting in more than 35 meetings with congressmembers and staff. Our president and CEO, Denise Forte, also spoke with senators about the threats to public education. She testified at Sen. Patty Murray’s spotlight hearing, highlighting this administration’s actions to dismantle ED. We submitted written appropriations requests for robust investments in FY2026 for key education programs.