President's FY 2018 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education

The link above contains complete information – including the budget summary, fact sheet, and slide deck presentation. The education budget proposes significant funding changes to support 5 major themes:

1. Expanding school choice, ensuring more children have an equal opportunity to receive a great education.
2. Maintaining strong support for the Nation's most vulnerable students.
3. Simplifying funding for postsecondary education.
4. Continuing to build evidence around educational innovation.
5. Eliminating or reducing Department programs consistent with the limited Federal role in education.

As you can see in the list below, the American History and Civics National Programs, the Congressional and Presidential Academies, and the Student Success and Academic Enrichment Grants programs are eliminated in the President’s proposed FY 2018 budget. Other areas related to social studies are also targeted for elimination, such as the International Education and Foreign Language Studies Programs.

American History and Civics National Programs

ESSA authorized grants to non-profit organizations that promote effective approaches to education in civics, geography and history, particularly for underserved populations. 

• ESSA Authorized amount: $4.6 million
• Appropriated for FY 2017: $1.7 million
• FY 2018 President’s Proposed Budget: $0

Congressional Academies and Presidential Academies

ESSA created two programs to provided grants to nonprofit organizations that run intensive summer institutes for teacher preparation in the social studies, particularly American government and history.

• ESSA Authorized amount: $1.8 million for each program
• Appropriated for FY 2017: $1.815 million total shared between the programs
• FY 2018 President’s Proposed Budget: $0

Student Success and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants

ESSA provided for grants to school districts that can be used for multiple purposes, including improving instruction in civics, economics, geography and history. Due to small funding amount to be distributed to school districts by competition rather than by formula.

• ESSA Authorized amount: $1.6 billion 
• Appropriated for FY 2017: $400 million
• FY 2018 President’s Proposed Budget: $0
   

Related Link: Trump Administration FY 18 Budget Request for History, Archival and Education Programs (Revised-May 24, 2017) Prepared by the National Coalition for History

This is just the beginning of the FY 2018 federal budget process. NCSS will keep you informed of next steps in working with Congressional leaders on approving a final budget that preserves resources for the social studies, and for related disciplines and programs that support our students and teachers.