Magaziner, RI Education Leaders Call on Trump to Restore School Funding
PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley joined local education leaders for an urgent press conference to speak out against the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in federal education funding, including nearly $30 million for Rhode Island, with no clear explanation.
The unprecedented and abrupt move, announced last week by the Department of Education, is estimated to rip away $29.3 million from Rhode Island, accounting for 17 percent of the K-12 funding Rhode Island receives from the federal government.
Magaziner, local leaders, and representatives from the Providence After School Alliance and Dorcas International gathered to sound the alarm on the impact of cuts for the Ocean State.
“The Trump administration has made the cruel and unprecedented decision to strip $30 million from Rhode Island schools and students with no clear explanation,” said Magaziner. “This hurts teachers, students, and working parents. We’re coming together at every level to express our strong opposition and to make clear: we will use every tool available to protect school funding.”
"By withholding these education funds, the Trump Administration is hurting students and families in Rhode Island," said Education Commissioner Infante-Green. "These funds support before and after school programs, English language education, and professional development programs for teachers which is targeted to student academic achievement. In recent years, Rhode Island students have made significant educational progress. Without funding, our students risk losing that momentum."
“Withholding this funding is going to hurt all families and students,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “At a moment where we should be further investing in comprehensive after school learning programs and improved supports for math and English, this decision will have a devastating impact on Providence families, educators and students. I want to thank Representative Magaziner and the entire federal delegation for their leadership and advocacy on this issue and I continue to urge federal officials to recognize the tangible impact cutting this funding would have on our children.”
“In the 2023-24 school year there were over 5,000 students across Rhode Island, more than 1,300 in Providence alone, served in after school programs funded by 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21stCCLC). These funds enable low-income youth to access after school enrichment and hands-on learning programs that develop skills and abilities that support their future success,” said Eric Gurna, Interim Executive Director of the Providence After School Alliance. “Study after study has shown that participation in afterschool and summer programs leads to positive outcomes for students, schools and communities.”
“Federal funding provides educational services to thousands of Rhode Island adults who lack basic literacy and foundational skills,” said Milagro Sique, Chief Operating Officer, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island. “Learning or improving English helps Rhode Islanders enter or advance in the workforce—yielding significant returns in economic productivity and reduced public spending. We must continue to meet the basic needs of our state’s most vulnerable populations.”
The cuts to funding that usually annually arrive on July 1, announced in a three-sentence email from the Dept. of Education, indicated that the funding was under “review” to ensure “taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
The breakdown of the impact of cuts on Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Department of Education, is estimated to be:
- $10.8 million for professional development programs for teachers
- $6.7 million for student support and academic enrichment
- $6.5 million for after-school and summer programs
- $3 million for English language acquisition programs
- $2.4 million for adult education
During the event, Magaziner made clear that he is committed to aggressively pursuing all legislative and legal avenues to restore the funding.