In a surprise move from the Trump administration, federal funding to the tune of nearly $7 billion was withheld from schools across the country late last month.
Now, nearly half the states in the country have filed a lawsuit against what they call an illegal move causing “irreparable harm.”
The funds in part support programs for K-12 students, like teaching English Language Learners and the children of migratory workers. They also support professional development for educators, critical technology in the classroom and funding community learning centers and after school programs.
On June 30 — a day before the funds were to be released — the Department of Education alerted states that the funds were withheld in order to review the program’s alignment with the president’s priorities.
The decision to hold the funds past the mandatory release date is “contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, and unconstitutional,” reads the complaint.
Michigan schools waiting on necessary money
Of the nearly $7 billion withheld, roughly $157 million of the money was slated to go to Michigan’s students and schools and an additional $14 million for adult education programs.
The money was meant to be divided among six grant programs that have been funded for decades without issue.
Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice said that withholding these funds hurts those furthest from opportunity the most.
“The withholding of federal Title funding negatively and disproportionately affects students who are economically disadvantaged, are migrants or English learners, or need extra help with academics before-school, after-school, or during the summer,” Rice said in a press release.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is leading the complaint against the withheld funding for the state.
Nessel says plans have been “thrown into chaos” with a new school year just weeks away,
“Local education agencies have approved budgets, developed staffing plans, and signed contracts to provide vital educational services under these grants,” the office of the attorney general said in a press release.
But now, schools can’t follow through on their commitments without the funding they were promised.
Nessel posted a video explaining the significant impact of the Trump administration’s decision.
In it, she adds that “without these funds, summer schools and education camps are immediately at risk of closing, leaving thousands of parents scrambling to find new summer placements for their kids […].”
Funding cuts to programs for students and teachers
The withheld funds in Michigan impact everything from improving the technology used in classrooms to multilingual education. Here’s a breakdown from the offices of the state superintendent and attorney general of the money Michigan is losing out on:
- More than $5.4 million in Title I-C funds for migrant education, which supports the educational needs of students whose families frequently move for seasonal agricultural or fishing work.
- More than $12.8 million in Title III funds for English learners to enhance multilingual education services.
- More than $63.7 million in Title II funds for staff professional development.
- More than $36.7 million Title IV-B funds for before- and after-school programs. These funds allow learning centers to offer out-of-school academic support, enrichment, youth development and family engagement for K-12 students.
- More than $38.3 million in Title IV-A funds for student support and academic enrichment. This funding is used to improve school conditions and technology in the classroom.
Detroit schools could lose millions
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), the largest district in the state, will lose out on more than $16 million if the federal funds are not released.
New America, a nonpartisan think tank, put together a list of the top 100 districts across the county facing the largest total funding risk. DPSCD was seventh on the list.
The money was set to fund educator development as well as student support and enrichment in DPCSD schools.
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