Education Cuts Explained: What We All Need to Know with Chalkbeat Senior National Reporter, Kalyn Belsha

Join me as I interview Chalkbeat senior national reporter Kalyn Belsha for an urgent update on the Trump administration's education cuts. This follow-up to Kalyn’s Episode 18 appearance covers the rapid dismantling of the Department of Education. 

Discover which vital programs have been terminated, how research benefiting thousands of students has been abruptly halted, and what these cuts mean for vulnerable populations including children with disabilities. 

This conversation reveals how federal education funding is being used as leverage against schools and universities, and why the biggest concerns lie ahead with potential cuts to Title I and IDEA funding. 

Episode Mentions:

• Trump expected to sign executive order on U.S. Department of Education. Here’s what we know by Erica Meltzer 
• Parent groups and organizations that support families of children with disabilities by state 
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) 
• The Hechinger Report's tracker of Trump's education actions 
• The New York Times' tracker on lawsuits against the Trump administration 
• Columbia University's response to the Trump administration saying it would withhold $400M in federal funds from the University 
• The University of Kansas Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction -This link has a teacher's guide & earlier research on the strategy

00:00 Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters 

01:00 Overview of Recent Department of Education Cuts

02:00 Kalyn Belsha Returns with Critical Updates 

03:00 Department of Education Confirmation Hearings 

04:35 Linda McMahon's Limited Knowledge of Education Law 

05:25 Major Cuts to Teacher Training and Research Programs 

07:15 Impact on Students with Disabilities' Transition Programs 

08:30 Research Projects That Cannot Be Restarted 

09:30 The "End DEI" Portal and Its Real Purpose 

11:15 Where Are the Guardrails? Understanding Funding Types 

12:45 The Future of Title I and IDEA Funding 

14:15 Implications for Colleges and Universities 

15:40 Federal Funding Used as Leverage Against Schools 

17:00 Executive Order to Dismantle the Education Department 

18:30 Withholding Federal Funds as a New Enforcement Tactic 

19:30 School Meal Program Rollbacks on the Horizon 

20:45 The Connection Between Education and Democracy 

22:15 How to Stay Informed Without Being Overwhelmed 

24:00 Resources for Tracking Education Policy Changes

25:15 How to Advocate for Education Funding 

26:30 Moving Beyond Our Bubbles to Support All Children 

27:30 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.