Help Us Advocate for Philadelphia Students
At the February Action Meeting, the Board of Education passed a resolution opposing federal cuts to K-12 funding. These cuts would have a devastating impact on our most vulnerable students—reducing support for low-income families, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
What do students in the School District of Philadelphia stand to lose?
- Education Funding – The current budget proposal includes a reduction to Title I, which provides funding for low-income students and schools in the poorest neighborhoods; the elimination of Title II, which provides funding for teacher recruitment and training; and the elimination of Title III, which provides funding to help students learn English.
- If approved, it could mean a loss for SDP of approximately $44.5 million in Title I funding, $20.6 million in Title II funding, and $4.2 million in Title III funding. In total, SDP could lose approximately $69.3 million in Title funding.
- If approved, it could mean a loss for SDP of approximately $44.5 million in Title I funding, $20.6 million in Title II funding, and $4.2 million in Title III funding. In total, SDP could lose approximately $69.3 million in Title funding.
- Student meals – In addition, the House is proposing to change the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), for school meals. The CEP allows the nation’s highest-poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as SNAP and TANF.There are two CEP proposals by the House: one would change eligibility from 40 percent of students receiving SNAP or TANF to 60 percent; the other would implement income verification documentation for every student in the program.Changing the percentage to 60 would not impact SDP, as 62% of its students are part of the other means-tested programs. Implementing income verification would likely result in less participation in the program, and fewer students receiving meals. Impact to SDP would vary and would be delayed.
In total, passage of the House Budget proposal could result in the loss of approximately $70 million for SDP.
We need your help to protect vital education funding for our children and public education in Philadelphia! Your voice can make a difference—take the time to call or write your representatives using the information below.
Looking for a letter template? Try the resource below from the National Education Association:
Stop the Destruction of the Department of Education
