GOP-Led States Push for Unfettered School Aid from Federal Government
By COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press Education Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Governors in several Republican-led states are pressing the Trump administration to cut strings attached to their federal education money, a goal conservatives have long dreamed of that now appears within reach as President Donald Trump moves to dismantle the Education Department.
Introduction to Block Grants
Iowa put itself forward as a test case this month, asking the Education Department to consolidate its federal aid into a single grant — called a “block grant” — with few spending requirements. Oklahoma submitted a similar request Tuesday, asking for more flexibility to steer federal money toward areas including private school and religious education options.
The idea has failed to gain support in Congress in the past, but Iowa and Oklahoma are suggesting the Trump administration has the power to act alone.
Support from Republican Leaders
Other Republican leaders have embraced the idea. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote an opinion piece last week pushing for block grants. Conservatives are calling it the natural next step in Trump’s promise to shut down the Education Department and give more power to states.
“All states would like more flexibility and freedom,” said Jim Blew, a former Education Department official from Trump’s first term who has called for consolidating education aid. “This would be a full block grant, no strings attached.”
Potential Impact on Education
As many as a dozen other GOP-led states are planning to submit their own requests, said Blew, who now co-leads the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies.
The Education Department channels billions of dollars a year to America’s public schools, but it’s divided into dozens of grants with different purposes. The biggest pot of money is Title I, which uses a formula to direct more money to schools with high concentrations of poverty. Other programs focus on areas from teacher training to rural schools.
Republicans See an Opening for More Flexibility
Republicans see an opening for more flexibility
For years, Republicans have pushed block grants as a way to scale back federal involvement in education. They say it would save schools from onerous reporting requirements and allow them to steer federal money toward areas that need it most.
Opponents say block grants would allow states to redirect money away from the students who most need the federal aid, including low-income students and English learners, and toward Republican priorities.
Concerns Over Block Grants
“Congress created each of those individual grants for specific reasons to serve specific groups of students,” said Ivy Smith Morgan of EdTrust, a think tank that advocates for educational equity. “Over time, block grants reduce the connective thread between a source of funding and a particular student group.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has denounced “federal red tape” and said states should be empowered to take charge. When she was asked about block grants Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” she noted that model has been suggested. But she indicated she did not support lumping together aid for students with disabilities and low-income students.
State Proposals
In its proposal on March 7, Iowa’s education agency asked the Education Department for permission to consolidate 10 sources of federal funding — including $100 million from Title I for low-income students — into a single grant, according to a summary provided by the Iowa Department of Education.
Iowa’s proposal pledges to uphold civil rights protections required by federal law, including support for English learners, homeless students and other groups. It would also continue to use state assessments to identify and address achievement gaps.
Opponents Argue Block Grants Would Limit Accountability
Opponents argue block grants would limit accountability
Sending federal money to states in block grants would be illegal and “extremely dangerous,” Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the top Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, told The Associated Press.
“Converting these funds will make it virtually impossible for the federal government to hold states accountable for providing all students with a high-quality education free from discrimination,” he said.
Conclusion
The push for block grants represents a significant shift in the way federal education money is distributed, with potential implications for the quality and equity of education across the United States. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will approve the requests from Iowa and Oklahoma, and what the consequences will be for the nation’s education system.
FAQs
Q: What are block grants?
A: Block grants are a type of funding that allows states to receive a lump sum of money from the federal government with fewer restrictions on how it can be spent.
Q: Why are Republican-led states pushing for block grants?
A: Republican-led states are pushing for block grants as a way to reduce federal involvement in education and give states more flexibility to spend federal money as they see fit.
Q: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of block grants?
A: The potential benefits of block grants include increased flexibility for states to address local education needs, while the drawbacks include concerns that states may redirect money away from vulnerable student groups and reduce accountability for education outcomes.
