5 Things to Know About Donald Trump's Budget

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Thursday, March 16, 2017

3. $1.4 Billion Increase in School Choice Investment

An empty classroom is seen in this undated file photo. | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Trump administration's budget blueprint included a $1.4 billion increase in investments in school choice programs for both public and private institutions.

In a move likely to get the respect of many conservative groups, the document noted that these additional funds ramp up investments in school choice "to an annual total of $20 billion, and an estimated $100 billion including matching State and local funds."

"This additional investment in 2018 includes a $168 million increase for charter schools, $250 million for a new private school choice program, and a $1 billion increase for Title I, dedicated to encouraging districts to adopt a system of student based budgeting and open enrollment that enables Federal, State, and local funding to follow the student to the public school of his or her choice," read page 17 of the document.

Overall, the Department of Education will see a $9 billion (or 13 percent) reduction in funding compared to fiscal year 2017. These reductions will center on eliminating about 20 programs considered more appropriate for state-level funding or duplicates of other programs.