Educators for Excellence Reacts to President Trump’s Budget Proposal

February 10 (New York) — Educators for Excellence, a teacher-led organization, was again dismayed that President Trump’s 2020 proposed budget slashes education spending. 

“This budget sends the message that the Trump administration does not value educational justice for students,” said E4E-Boston member Nina Leuzzi, a kindergarten teacher at Fletcher Maynard Academy. “As a teacher for the past 12 years, I believe that schools deserve a federal budget that guarantees the resources needed so all children have an affirming and inclusive education.”

“I cannot understand how our President could speak so extensively on the health of our economy at the State of the Union and then propose a budget just days later that shortchanges students and teachers,” said Evan Stone, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Educators for Excellence. “President Trump, the long-term strength of our economy depends on our ability as a nation to invest, not just on Wall Street, but in tomorrow’s leaders, our students.”

Voices from the Classroom: A Survey of America’s Educators, released on January 22, 2020, found that teachers across the country believe education funding must provide more opportunities for students and teachers. Among the findings:

On federal education policy:

Teachers chose supporting students’ academic, social and emotional growth and improving teacher pay and benefits as the top priorities for the Secretary of Education.

Only 12% say their perspective is greatly represented at the federal level.

On access to classroom resources:

Just 32% say it is very accurate that their schools have the materials they need for effective instruction. Similarly, 65% say inequitable access to classroom supplies and resources is a problem within their district.

On teacher preparation and professional development:

Only 12% say preparation programs train prospective teachers for the realities of the classroom very well and 21% of teachers who say they received professional development training at their school feel it was very effective in improving their teaching.

On teacher compensation:

Most (67%) report having worked a second job in order to make ends meet, with 31% saying they are doing so now.

In fact, teachers believe raising starting salaries is the most effective kind of financial incentive to recruit and retain talented and diverse teachers.

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