We have been closely monitoring developments in Washington, DC, specifically concerning the actions of the Trump Administration on education and federal funding. We understand that many educators are concerned about what they are seeing and hearing and want to know more about what is happening and how to respond to have their voices heard. This message will give you information and provide some options for responding to ensure your voice is heard by federal policymakers. 

The Trump Administration has embarked upon an aggressive set of actions that are explicitly intended to alter existing educational priorities across the federal government. To date, this has been limited to a wide range of executive orders, which fall under the Executive Branch’s authority. It is also widely reported that President Trump plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, a move that would require Congressional approval. While this is unlikely in a closely divided Congress, the Administration is taking steps to freeze or cancel education-related funding in various ways. 

All White House Executive Orders (EOs) can be found here.  

Over the past month, President Trump has signed more than 90 executive orders, those dealing with education-related topics include 

• school choice; 

• downsizing the federal workforce; 

• federal government plans to fight antisemitism; 

• ending “radical indoctrination” in K-12 schooling; 

• eliminating federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and 

• pausing or canceling federal funding related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Additional background: 

• Overview of President Trump’s Executive Orders, Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU) 

• 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources, Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) 

• President Trump’s Executive Orders Impacting Education, American Council on Education (ACE) 

• LINDA MCMAHON SAYS TRUMP CAN’T ELIMINATE ED. DEPT. WITHOUT CONGRESS, Education Week 

• DOGE ANNOUNCES $881 MILLION IN CUTS FOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS, Politico 

• TRUMP’S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NIXES DEI INITIATIVES AND GUIDANCE, Higher Ed Dive 

• CONFUSION FOLLOWS TRUMP ORDER ON SEX AND GENDER, Inside Higher Ed 

What You Can Do 

The Committee for Education Funding is at the forefront of ensuring that educators' voices are heard within the policy community. They are leading a critical advocacy campaign to stop proposed cuts to federal education funding and push for increased investments in education. If these cuts pass, here’s what’s at stake: 

• 72,000 teachers could lose their jobs. 

• K-12 students would face reduced support and resources. 

• Student financial aid and job training opportunities would be slashed. 

• Economic prospects for future generations would be negatively impacted. 

• Students still struggling with COVID learning loss would be left further behind. 

• Our economy, national security, and global competitiveness would be weakened. 

You can learn more and find information on how to contact your elected officials and share your message here. 

For the latest advocacy and policy updates, be sure to check out our Legislative Update blog series, featured in our e-newsletters NSTA Reports and NSTA Weekly. You can also access the articles directly on the NSTA Blog. 

The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.