Federal Response
When federal leaders make decisions about education and our communities, they don’t stop in D.C. — they land in New York communities. Federal education policies threaten access and opporutnity for students and families across the state.
New York has the resources — and the responsibility — to defend access, opportunity, and equity for every student and family, even as the federal government retreats from its responsibilities.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
Federal education cuts are hitting students of color, particularly Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, as well as immigrant students, multilingual learners, and those from low-income backgrounds the hardest, putting their opportunities at risk when they need support the most. Through our advocacy, we’re working to ensure New York takes swift action to protect these students and continue advancing educational equity.
Latest Resource
Blog Series: DC Choices, NY Voices
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Statement Condemning ICE Detentions of Students
Statement Denouncing Federal Policy on Immigration Arrests
Blog What Eliminating the Department of Education Could Mean for NY Students
Event Recap: President Trump's First 50 Days Impact on Education
More Resources
How New York Can Protect Children, Students, and Families from Federal Attacks on Medicaid and SNAP
New York ranks 40th in child poverty. The state’s Child Poverty Reduction Act aims to cut that rate in half within a decade, but harmful federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten progress — compounding hardship for millions of families.
How New York Can Protect Children from Federal Attacks on Head Start and Early Education
The Trump administration’s actions threaten New York’s youngest learners by cutting Head Start funding, restricting access, and advancing anti-immigrant policies. Without action, these federal attacks could harm children and families for generations.
EdTrust-New York Calls for Transparency and Truth in Response to Preliminary 2024–25 State Assessment Data Release
EdTrust-New York welcomes the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) release of preliminary data from the 2024-25 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Grades 5 and 8 Science assessments ahead of the new school year. However, the data raises more questions than it answers. We believe transparent, accessible data is essential to informing instruction, supporting families, and driving equity-centered decision-making throughout New York’s education system.
How New York Can Protect Students from Federal Attacks on Higher Education Access
New York has made real progress in breaking down financial barriers to higher education. But now, new anti-student and anti-borrower federal policies sabotage that very progress — pushing higher education further out of reach for the very students New York has fought to support.
EdTrust-New York Condemns ICE Detentions of Students, Urges State to Protect Immigrant Families and Uphold Every Child’s Right to an Education
The recent detainment of two New York City public school students by federal immigration authorities and immigration raids in California are not isolated incidents, they are part of a pattern of targeted, state-sanctioned intimidation against immigrant communities that form the backbone of our public education system. We at EdTrust-New York condemn these actions as a grave violation of students’ rights, safety, and humanity.
Financial Aid Resources for Students from Mixed-Status Families: Spring 2025
Explore resources to help families decide whether to share identifying information when creating a FSA ID or completing the FAFSA.
Event Recap: Moving New York Forward: A Look at EdTrust-New York’s Recent Impact
On April 3, EdTrust-New York’s executive director Arlen Benjamin-Gomez joined Lisette Nieves, president of the Fund for the City of New York, and Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust national, to discuss EdTrust-New York’s recent impact report and how the organization can build on the momentum to act with urgency and speak truth to power in the coming years.
Event Recap: The New Presidential Administration’s First 50 Days: What We Know, What We Need to Do
On March 18, EdTrust-New York and Educators for Excellence hosted an event, The New Presidential Administration’s First 50 Days: What We Know, What We Need to Do. Individuals and organizations who share a passion for advancing educational equity in New York State joined us at a moment when public education is under attack and students’ civil rights protections are at risk.
The Elimination of the Department of Education and Its Devastating Impact on New York’s Students
Instead of allowing political games to dismantle the education system, New York leaders must focus on solutions that strengthen education and address the real challenges we face such as underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and post-pandemic recovery.
Advancing Black History in Education: Bright Spots from New York State
At the core of any curriculum is the school community — its culture, educators, and the materials that reflect the diversity of its students. A district in NYS’ adoption of this Black Studies curriculum is one example of prioritizing and advancing Black history in the classroom, and similar efforts are taking shape across the state to support educators in teaching Black history.
EdTrust-New York Denounces Trump Administration’s Policy on Immigration Arrests in Schools
EdTrust-New York strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools. This policy directly threatens the safety and well-being of students who are undocumented and from mixed-status families, driving many to avoid school out of fear. Schools must remain safe, welcoming, and supportive environments for all students and their families, regardless of immigration status. This policy directly undermines that core principle.
A Letter from the Executive Director: The Power of You
A new year is upon us, and while many of us feel uncertain about the future, we know that when the education community comes together to solve problems, we create change.