Education Department Releases $6 Billion in Withheld Federal School Grants
The Education Department is releasing over $6 billion in federal grant money, previously withheld by the Trump administration, to states next week, supporting vital school programs.
Overview
- The Education Department is set to release over $6 billion in federal grant money to states next week, funds that were previously withheld by the Trump administration.
- This significant release follows a period since July 1 where the Trump administration had frozen the funds for review, causing widespread concern among educators.
- The decision to release the money comes after strong urging from 10 Republican senators, other lawmakers, and multiple legal challenges against the initial funding freeze.
- The funds will support crucial programs like adult literacy, English language instruction, teacher development, after-school activities, and summer camps, benefiting diverse student needs.
- The funds aim to prevent school closures and academic service cutbacks, helping districts hire certified teachers and tutors, especially benefiting non-native English speaking students.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally, focusing on the factual progression of events. They report the Trump administration's decision to withhold and then release education funds, detailing the stated reasons for the freeze and the widespread pressure from bipartisan lawmakers and educators that led to the release.
"The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in withheld grants for schools, the Education Department said Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty for educators around the country who rely on the money for English language instruction, adult literacy, and other programs."
Chicago Tribune"The U.S. Education Department is releasing more than $5 billion in education grant funding to states."
NPR"The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in grants to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs, the Education Department said Friday."
CBS News"The Trump administration says it will return the remaining more than $5 billion in funding that it previously withheld from public schools for nearly a month, alleviating school administrators' anxiety about federal funding hurdles for the 2025-2026 school year."
USA TODAY"The roughly $6 billion in education programming that was frozen by the Trump administration earlier this month is being released, according to a Department of Education spokesperson on Friday."
ABC News"The release of that money came days after 10 Republican senators sent a letter imploring the administration to allow frozen education money to be sent to states."
Associated PressArticles (13)
Center (6)
FAQ
The released funds will support critical programs such as adult literacy, English language instruction, teacher development, after-school activities, and summer camps, benefiting diverse student needs including non-native English speaking students.
Lawmakers, including 10 Republican senators, strongly urged the Trump administration to release the funds. The initial freeze was also met with legal challenges and public rebukes from both parties.
The freeze led to significant concerns about school closures and layoffs, as many districts had already begun making financial adjustments, including layoffs in places like Alaska.
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