Donald Trump Sends Memo Stripping Funding from Schools With Special Education, Free Lunch or Student Support Programs

Photo of Donald Trump sourced from Aljazeera.com.

The Trump administration has taken aim at universities and schools, threatening to strip funding for any that have diversity initiatives in two weeks.

What Happened

In his misguided fight against “wokeness,” Trump has taken his fight a step further, issuing a memo that indicates that schools with diversity initiatives would begin to feel the ramifications within two weeks. This memo has set off a firestorm, with the American Council on Education, a conglomerate of college presidents, stepping up to defend education. Others, including civil rights organizations, expressed outrage online. Some are threatening to take legal action, even as Trump continues his attack on all things he deems “woke.” The problem with Trump’s demand is the interconnectedness of diversity initiatives with campus-wide or school-wide efforts and the uncertainty of what must be cut to keep federal funding.

Some students live in homes with income below the poverty level. Because of this, they qualify for free food or reduced-price food. Even when students are clearly entitled to free breakfast and lunch, they don’t always get it. With the support of funding from inclusion efforts, schools have been able to provide free food for over 30 million students a year who would otherwise go hungry throughout the entire school day every day.

… over 7.5 million (15%) of students received free or reduced food.

That might seem like an option to Donald Trump, but studies have shown students who are properly fed perform better, physically and mentally. Food is essential to a child’s alertness in school. Having food also boosts the morale of the student. This all plays a role in the overall success of the student.

With the threat of losing federal funding, school districts and educators are wondering what to do with their free lunch programs that are undeniably diversity initiatives. It puts them in the awkward position of potentially having to choose between feeding their students or receiving federal funding. The schools could attempt to cover the costs, but this would lead to cuts from other resources essential to the success of students.

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Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, over 7.5 million (15%) of students receive free or reduced food annually. As with many other segments of education, students served under this act are part of diversity education initiatives. Schools work to provide wraparound services that may include specialists and therapists hired from outside the school that are funded with federal support. The memo from the White House jeopardizes the future of these 7.5 million students and confuses the administration of their districts.

On college campuses, initiatives such as After 22 seek to educate and prepare students with perceived disabilities for the workforce. After 22 is a diversity initiative that enables students who would be overlooked to receive the time and attention they deserve in a higher learning institution. This program is vital to the success of its students and society. Donald Trump’s memo is a notice to colleges and universities to end all such initiatives or lose federal funding.

This move will cripple an already-struggling public education system

KWTX.com notes that “On Monday the Education Department announced it also cut $600 million in grants for organizations that train teachers. The programs promoted ‘divisive’ concepts like DEI, critical race theory and social justice activism, the department said.” This move will cripple an already-struggling public education system seeking to fill vacant teacher positions with well-qualified educators.

The White House’s framing of educational training programs as “divisive” because they might teach “DEI, critical race theory and social justice activism” is ludicrous. Mainly, none of those concepts has been portrayed as what they truly are by Trump or his team. The Trump administration repeatedly demonstrates it doesn’t understand or know the definitions of these words or phrases.

Additionally, teacher training programs usually don’t cover critical race theory or social justice activism. They may cover teaching students with perceived disabilities as a DEI effort, and it’s essential to be equipped to teach all learners effectively. That equipment comes by way of education and training.

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Donald Trump has expressed his disdain for people with disabilities at least twice. He’s infamous for refusing to be seen with disabled veterans. In a speech, he crudely mocked a disabled journalist. His memo is simply another attack on the disabled and the financially vulnerable. It’s an attack on African Americans and anybody deemed “other,” including mothers.

Ironically, Trump continues to argue that his dismantling of DEI efforts is a promotion of a merit-based system, even after he chose the questionable Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, who the Ap News described as “largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.” Pete Hegseth is a former FOX News host that bent the knee to Trump so regularly, he gained Trump’s favor. Trump hired him out of nepotism not based on merit. To make room for Pete Hegseth, Trump chose to force the resignation of Lloyd Austin, a decorated Army General and first black secretary of defense. Trump chose a man who poorly reported the news over the man in the role with the experience. This is an exemplary but not unique example of Trump’s blaring hypocrisy.

The Takeway

Donald Trump sent out a memo noting that federal funding for schools with diversity initiatives would be cut within two weeks. The news has sent educators and administrators into overdrive, as they decide between federal funding and feeding their most vulnerable students in some instances. Trump’s revocation of funding looks to destroy education as Americans know it. All while Trump argues he’s fighting for a “merit-based” system, he hires and conspires with the most meritless of all.

This article was written by Jermaine Reed, MFA, the Editor-in-Chief of The Reeders Block. He also works an Adjunct College Professor. Join the email list to get notifications on new blog posts and books. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human.