BOULDER, CO (September 18, 2025)—In this month's episode of NEPC Talks Education, Christopher Saldaña explores the dramatic shifts in K-12 federal education policy with Robert Kim, executive director of the Education Law Center, and Kevin Welner, NEPC director and professor emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education.
Kim and Welner discuss how recent policy changes fundamentally alter the federal government's historic role in supporting underserved student populations. While the administration claims its agenda is simply to return control of education to states, its actions reveal an agenda that’s laser-focused on dismantling equity programs and advancing privatization.
The discussion highlights severe threats to education funding. According to Kim, the administration has attempted to withhold billions in promised education funding. At the same time, the House budget plan cuts Title I—the main funding source for schools serving students living in poverty—by nearly 30%. Also, cuts to social safety net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP will severely undermine students’ readiness to learn.
During the podcast, Welner emphasizes contradictions in federal policy and rhetoric, pointing to repeated examples of federal overreach. For instance, the Office for Civil Rights, with enforcement staff severely reduced, is being used to threaten financial consequences for states and districts attempting to serve immigrants and LGBTQ+ populations. The administration has also issued executive orders to withhold funding from schools with diversity and equity programs.
Both experts express concern about the new federal tax credit program intended to divert federal taxes to organizations funding private school tuition and other education expenses. Research from states with similar programs shows they harm student achievement while primarily benefiting wealthy families. Students with disabilities lose critical protections when moving to private schools that can discriminate based on disability, language, or identity.
Kim and Welner urge educators not to "pre-comply" with potentially unconstitutional mandates, noting that courts have already ruled against several administration policies. They encourage constituents to contact senators about education funding and advise governors to resist adopting federal voucher-like programs, especially in states where voters have previously rejected such initiatives.
A new NEPC Talks Education podcast episode, hosted by Christopher Saldaña, will be released each month from September through May.
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