AACTE Statement on Passage of the Reconciliation Bill

(July 3, 2025, Washington, DC) — On behalf of AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), President and CEO Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., issued the following statement:

AACTE is deeply disappointed that the reconciliation bill, which will rip away opportunity, security, and hope from millions of Americans, will become law.

In addition to a nearly $1 trillion cut to Medicaid, which will cause 11.8 million Americans to lose access to healthcare, there are hidden provisions in the fine print that make it harder for working- and middle-class Americans to achieve their academic and career goals through higher education. Those provisions include the following:

• Capping or eliminating access to federal student and parent loans, especially for those pursuing low-pay, high-impact public-service careers in teaching, counseling, and mental-health services.
• Destroying the most affordable repayment options, forcing borrowers into costlier plans or out of college altogether.
• Draining public school funds by creating an unlimited tax credit for private-school vouchers, diverting scarce resources to unaccountable institutions.

This bill is a full-scale attack on children, educators, and the very promise of education opportunity for all. It will make America poorer, sicker, and less educated. Notably, this bill will make it harder to ensure all students have qualified teachers, principals, and counselors, which will ultimately deprive many of excellent learning experiences.

AACTE will intensify its advocacy efforts and support for its members who perform the essential work of preparing future educators to address the damage caused by this legislation. We will build coalitions to amplify the voices of aspiring educators, students, and families impacted by this legislation.

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About AACTE

Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. Learn more at aacte.org.