May 30, 2025 (Washington, D.C) – This Friday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Education released its Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budget request. IEL is deeply concerned about the impact of this budget on key programs that have long sustained and supported high-quality education for students across the nation, including Full-Service Community Schools and Promise Neighborhoods.
The proposal eliminates Full-Service Community Schools and consolidates 18 grants into what the U.S. Department of Education refers to as a K-12 Simplified Funding Program (SFP), which would be a new single-state formula grant. Programs consolidated into SFP will include Promise Neighborhoods, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Statewide Family Engagement Centers, among others.
This reduction threatens the ability of our institutions to deliver high-quality education to students in all communities, including rural communities. It will only put further strain on state and local budgets that rely on federal dollars to meet the most urgent needs of their students.
“The Department of Education’s FY26 Budget Request falls far short of funding the evidence-based, bold, family and child-centered strategies our students, families, schools, and communities urgently need,” said IEL President Eddie Koen in response. “With so many challenges facing children, this is not the moment to reduce investments in what works —it’s the moment to rise. As the home of the Coalition for Community Schools, we intend to raise our voice with urgency to advocate for investments in what works, like Full-Service Community Schools, to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive.”
The request heads to Congress.