Michigan at Risk of Losing Millions in Federal Education Funding
On July 14, Michigan joined a group of states and more than two dozen state attorneys general to sue the Trump administration over billions of dollars in federal education funds it intended for English learning, teacher training, and other key school programs.
In June, the Trump administration illegally withheld federal education funds for five key K-12 programs that would have provided nearly $7 billion to local school districts leaving them scrambling to determine if they can offer these programs just a month before the start of a new school year.
In Michigan, the state Department of Education said the federal government is withholding more than $156 million in grants, including:
- More than $5.4 million in Title I-C funds for migrant education. These dollars support the needs of migrant children in reaching academic standards and graduating from high school.
- More than $63.7 million in Title II funds for staff professional development. This funding goes toward improving the quality and effectiveness of educators and expanding underserved students’ access to effective educators.
- More than $12.8 million in Title III funds for English learners. These funds provide needed support for these students to learn English and to meet state academic standards. Importantly, funding also pays for the Michigan Department of Education oversee English Learner programming and ensure these students are receiving the supports they are entitled to.
- More than $38.3 million in Title IV-A funds for academic enrichment. This funding supports improving student academic achievement for underserved students by providing them with access to a well-rounded education, improving school conditions for student learning, and improving the use of technology.
- More than $36.7 million Title IV-B funds for before- and after-school programs. These programs provide academic enrichment opportunities such as literacy and other educational services during non-school hours for students in underserved and low-performing schools.
These dollars have already been appropriated by congress and districts were planning to use these funds in the upcoming school year. Federal law prohibits that the president from withholding these funds without submitting a “special message” that includes the funding amount, rationale, and budgetary effects of the proposal to impound those funds, and both the House and Senate need to approve it. The plaintiffs contend the administration’s refusal to disperse the money violates several federal statutes and is an overreach of the president’s powers.
The impact of freezing these dollars will have a disproportionate impact on the country’s most vulnerable students. New America crunched the district-by-district numbers, and the results paint a dire picture. Here is a sampling:
- Districts serving high-poverty student populations (those where over 25% of children live in poverty) will lose over five times as much funding per pupil as low-poverty school districts (those where fewer than 10% of children live in poverty).
- The average school district enrolling majority students of color will see 50% bigger cuts than the average majority-white school district.
The unknown legal timeline for resolving this case creates uncertainty for local districts and families who rely on the programs.
What you can do: We need you to contact to your member of congress to make them aware of the impact this freeze has on their local districts and urge them to call on President Trump to release these funds on behalf of Michigan’s most underserved students.
