The Education Trust released the following statement from Lillian M. Lowery, Ph.D., vice president for P-12 policy and practice and Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., vice president of higher education policy and practice, on the bipartisan spending deal announced late today.

“The omnibus appropriations deal announced tonight demonstrates a bipartisan commitment to two critical education priorities: supporting college access and affordability for students from low-income families through an increase in the maximum Pell Grant award, and maintaining funding for teacher and principal support and development.

“Investments in P-12 and higher education are essential to ensuring a better future for our nation’s students, but we must put those most underserved first. As we now look toward funding for next year, we hope that Congress will move forward with an equitable approach that puts students of color and those from low-income families at the center of all funding-related conversations. We look forward to working with members on these issues.”