Trump administration calls minority grant funding "racially discriminatory," redirects money to charter schools

"The Department of Education said following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores last week, which "showed dismal educational outcomes across the nation," the department is shifting funding to "advance President Trump's priorities." Testing data released last week revealed that, overall, students' scores were lower in 12th grade math and reading and 8th grade science than the last time students were tested in 2019."

"The additional funding announced Monday comes from discretionary grant programs the Trump administration ended funding for last week, including Hispanic-serving institutions (HSI) and other minority-serving institutions, arguing the programs were "racially discriminatory" because they required schools to maintain a percentage of minority students in their total student enrollment. For Hispanic-serving institutions, at least 25% of schools' student body must be Hispanic students, while at least 40% of predominantly Black institutions' student body must be Black."

"According to California State University, 21 of the university's 22 campuses meet the criteria to qualify as a Hispanic-serving institution. CSU Chancellor Mildred García said last week the university is "deeply troubled" by the Trump Administration's decision​ to end funding for the grant program and the action will have "an immediate impact and irreparable harm to our entire community.""

Federal funding for minority-serving institutions will be redirected into U.S. charter schools to support school choice. The Department of Education cited poor 2024 NAEP results and said funding shifts align with President Trump's priorities. The department increased charter program funding by $60 million for fiscal 2025, bringing the total to $500 million. The additional money comes from ending discretionary grants for Hispanic-serving and other minority-serving institutions, which the administration labeled "racially discriminatory" due to enrollment percentage requirements. Many California State University campuses qualify as HSIs, and CSU leadership warned the change will have an immediate and irreparable impact on the community. Testing showed declines in certain grade-level subjects since 2019.

Read at The Mercury News