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 strategy00:00 Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters 01:00 Overview of Recent Department of Education Cuts02:00 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 Changes25:15 How to Advocate for Education Funding 26:30 Moving Beyond Our Bubbles to Support All Children 27:30 Closing Thoughts and Contact InformationWhen 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.