The "skinny budget" released last week included provisions that are raising questions among the Catholic education community. Let me address them briefly...

Zero Funding for Titles II-A and IV

I assume many readers had the same response here - Just on the cusp of receiving truly equitable funding of professional development services, the Trump Administration signals its willingness to do away with the program. Not to mention interest and curiosity around the technology services and after-school participation through the revamped Title IV. 

Please be assured we will bring your concerns to Congress, where I expect there is not a great appetite to defund a program most of them just approved of reauthorizing 15 months ago in ESSA.

Increased Portability in Title I

To be clear, the $1 billion proposed here does not include "portability" to the non-government school of a parent's choice. Instead this would be extra money that would stay inside the government sector. We are investigating how this could impact proportionate share and if it is a return to "set-asides."

$250 million for real choice

This offer is intriguing and has piqued our interest. While details remain slim, we hope to learn more and discover what method of delivery, attached strings, and intended beneficiaries are of this proposal.