Statement on President Biden's Budget

A budget is a statement of values, and the President’s proposed budget, in some cases, prioritizes investments in our nation’s children. The proposal seeks to expand funding for schools serving students living in poverty, requests an increase in special-education funding, and builds upon investments in school-based mental health. These are essential investments in educational opportunities at a time when low-income students face historic levels of unfinished learning. 

Still, the proposal to flat fund the federal Charter School Program (CSP) misses the mark. The CSP has been flat-funded at $440 million for four consecutive years, amounting to less than 1 percent of the United State’s total federal education budget. This program provides the only source of federal funding for the creation of high-quality public charter schools. Without an increase to this program, high-quality charter schools like ours will continue to lack the resources to open new schools or expand to meet growing demand. Moreover, this school year, 88% of KIPP students are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch and 94% are Black and Latinx. These students deserve additional federal support that mirrors the President’s investments in Title I and other critical programs.

Federal investments in education transform students’ lives, especially low-income students who too often attend under-resourced schools. Investing in education is crucial for our nation’s future, and I look forward to working together with the Administration, Congress, and our partners to ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve.