Schools Urgently Need Federal Dollars

Cutting funding for these programs doesn’t save money in the long run; it creates bigger problems. Kids who don’t get the right support in school are more likely to struggle academically, socially and even financially later, as adults. Cutting any of these programs means kids, especially the most vulnerable ones, will pay the price for it down the line.

We need real solutions for kids and communities, not more cuts. In states like Kentucky, where federal education funding exceeds $1 billion annually, cuts by the Trump administration would hit especially hard. Rural districts, low-income communities and students with disabilities would be left scrambling. The reality is, when we invest in education, we invest in a stronger future for everyone.

An existential threat

Honestly, without federal funding, my job as a special education paraeducator might not even exist. Even if it did, my work would be much harder. Special education services require trained professionals, adapted learning materials, assistive technology — you name it. That’s all expensive, and without federal support, schools wouldn’t have the money to provide these essentials.

I work directly with students who need one-on-one support to navigate through their education. That could mean helping a child who’s nonverbal to communicate through assistive devices, working with a student who has autism on social and behavioral skills, or making sure kids with learning disabilities get the individual instruction they need to succeed. If funding disappears, so do those supports.

They don’t have a Plan B. Their families often lack the means to provide private services. So, if their school can’t step up, they just go without. That’s not just unfair — it’s unacceptable.

Let’s take the worst-case scenario. If federal funding were to dry up, our district — and districts across the state — would have to make some really tough, painful choices. Schools already operate on tight budgets, so losing federal money would force administrators to start making cuts that directly impact students.

First, we’d likely see staff reductions. That means fewer paraeducators like me, fewer teachers and fewer support staff, which means more classroom management and less instruction.

Special education services, required by law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, wouldn’t just disappear — but without federal support, schools would have to stretch funding thin to try to comply with the law. The quality of those services would absolutely suffer.

Then there’s program cuts. After-school programs, tutoring, mental health services — anything considered “extra” would land on the chopping block first. But let’s be real: These services aren’t “extras.” They’re lifelines for students who need additional academic support, social and emotional learning, or even just a safe place to be when the school day ends.

Another big concern is access to essential services. If Medicaid funding for schools is reduced, we’re talking about cuts to speech therapy, occupational therapy and other critical health services that many students rely on. Parents might have to seek private services — which can be elusive and expensive — or, worse, their kids might go without them altogether.

And in districts with higher poverty rates, Title I funding cuts would hit hard. Schools relying on Title I dollars to provide additional teachers, classroom resources and intervention for struggling students would be left scrambling. The achievement gap would widen, and students from low-income families would be on the wrong side of that gap.

When schools lack funding, students can see and feel the difference between their own schools and better-resourced schools. It’s that simple.

In the event of federal funding cuts, school districts would do their best to make up for the shortfall, but we’d be fighting an uphill battle — and it’s the kids who would lose.

Republished with permission from AFT Voices.