The United States Department of Education has announced it will release more than $5 billion in previously withheld grant funding to states. Knewz.com has learned that these funds were originally earmarked for a wide range of education initiatives like teacher training, migrant and English language programs and adult education. However, they were frozen earlier this year after a review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which questioned their alignment with the administration’s goals. The OMB accused some programs of furthering a “radical left-wing agenda.”
Frozen funds prompt lawsuits
The move prompted lawsuits from 24 states, plus Washington, D.C., along with educators’ groups, school districts and parents who called the freeze unconstitutional. According to reports, 10 Republican senators including Shelley Moore Capito and Mitch McConnell also publicly urged the administration to release the funds, arguing they support bipartisan programs critical to local economies.
Funding allocation and oversight
The federal funds had been designated for various educational services including programs for migrant students, English language instruction and adult education, with $2.2 billion set aside for teacher professional development. The Donald Trump administration announced that “guardrails” would be implemented to ensure the released funds are not used in ways that violate executive orders or established policy. The Supreme Court previously authorized the Department of Education to proceed with plans to lay off nearly 1,400 employees. Earlier this year, the Trump administration even attempted to eliminate the department entirely.
The funds being released now
The Education Department says the withheld funds will now be dispatched in the coming weeks. According to reports, $1.3 billion for after-school and summer programs had already been restored. Reports have further mentioned that the remaining funds, totaling roughly $5 billion, will cover professional development for educators (~$2.2 billion under Title II-A), student support and academic enrichment (~$1.4 billion under Title IV-A), english language learner services (~$890 million under Title III-A) and migrant education (~$375 million under Title I-C).
The impact of the released funds
For school districts, the freeze created immediate challenges: canceled contracts, hiring delays and program shutdowns were widespread. Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, said, “The administration’s inexplicable delay … caused massive chaos and harm.” David Schuler of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, welcomed the release but demanded the remaining funds be provided immediately. “Districts should not be in this impossible position,” he said. Republican Senator Capito emphasized the broad support for these programs: “Programs like after-school and summer offerings … support working parents and build local economies,” she said. Meanwhile, Senator Patty Murray sharply criticized the administration, stating, “This administration deserves no credit for just barely averting a crisis they themselves set in motion. … You don’t thank a burglar for returning your cash.” Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward noted, “Legal and public pressure can make a difference, but school districts, parents and educators should not have to take the administration to court to secure funds for their students.”
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Author: Samyarup Chowdhury
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