In meeting with Betsy DeVos, New York’s education commissioner pushes back on Trump budget

The head of New York’s education department capitalized on her Monday meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos by discussing the “devastating impact” President Trump’s proposed budget would have on New York’s schools, officials said.

One of Elia’s top concerns is the potential loss of $176 million in Title IIA funding, which is used for teacher and principal professional development. According to a spokesperson for the State Education Department, she also voiced opposition to the administration’s plan to cut funding for libraries, arts, humanities and public broadcasting.

Elia met with with DeVos alongside a group of education commissioners from other states to discuss the federal budget and the Every Student Succeeds Act.

The commissioner has been critical of the Trump budget since it was first announced in March.

“President Trump’s proposed drastic cut to the U.S. Department of Education’s budget is an irresponsible disregard for vital education programs and would be devastating to New York’s children,” said Elia and Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa in a joint statement when the plan was first announced.

The State Education Department also released the following chart at that time showing the education funding New York could lose if Trump’s budget is enacted.