As Congress begins work on the FY2027 federal budget, ATPE has sent a letter to members of the Texas congressional delegation urging them to protect critical education funding and preserve a strong, coordinated federal education infrastructure. 

In the letter, ATPE expresses concerns about proposed reductions to federal education programs, efforts to redistribute key responsibilities currently housed within the U.S. Department of Education, and changes that could create additional barriers to the administration of federal education grants. 

ATPE specifically urges Congress to protect funding for: 

• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) programs that support students receiving special education services 
• Title I funding for schools serving high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students 
• Educator preparation, training, and professional development programs that help recruit, prepare, and retain qualified teachers 

The letter also highlights the potential impact of federal funding cuts on rural and underserved communities and raises concerns that moving core Department of Education responsibilities to other federal agencies could create confusion, delays, and reduced accountability for students, families, and school districts. 

Federal investments play an important role in supporting Texas students and educators. As Congress considers funding decisions for FY2027, lawmakers need to hear directly from the educators who see the impact of these programs every day. 

ATPE members are encouraged to use Advocacy Central to contact their U.S. representative and senators in D.C. and urge them to: 

• Protect federal education funding. 
• Oppose cuts to IDEA, Title I, and educator workforce development programs. 
• Preserve a strong, coordinated federal education infrastructure. 

Visit ATPE Advocacy Central to send your message to Congress today.