Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/882783
P R E S I D E N T T R U M P ' S proposed education budget for fiscal year 2018 reduces spending by 13.5 percent and slashes $9 billion in grants for teacher training and funding for summer and after-school programs, among other things. The budget increases funding for school choice by $1 billion — to be spent on charter schools and voucher programs championed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. e budget is supposed to go into effect Oct. 1, but it's not likely to pass Congress till the end of this year, and legislators are expected to make changes during the approval process. Here are a few ways you can make your voice heard and resist devastating cuts that hurt students, families and our profession. 9 Things You Can Do to Oppose the Trump-DeVos Agenda 1. Add everyone who represents you to your mobile contacts. Include all elected leaders, from your district school board members to your members of Congress — with their D.C. and back-home office numbers! Be ready to hold them accountable, and thank them when they do right by public schools. 2. Attend your next school board meeting. Invite a friend or colleague to see firsthand how deci- sions are made. Request to speak on issues important to educators and students. 3. Sign up at EducationVotes.org to stay informed on political and legislative issues that affect education. You'll find loads of opportunities to take action! Resist! 4. Strengthen school-community connections. Invite an educator to speak to your faith or community group. Bring local community leaders into your classroom so they can learn about your students, and vice versa. 44 cta.org Advocacy A C T I V I S M