Central Valley districts deeply outraged as U.S. Department of Education aims to freeze funds supporting English learners

The Trump administration plans to withhold over $6. 8 billion in Title 3 funding, essential for English learners and children of migrant families. School districts, especially in California's Central Valley, are actively strategizing to support their most vulnerable students amidst this uncertainty. Advocacy groups across the nation sound the alarm, warning that the lack of federal funding could result in "catastrophic" consequences for educational programs. Education leaders are calling for the immediate release of funds, highlighting the importance of resources for teacher training and after-school initiatives.

The Learning Policy Center estimates a potential 10% decrease in total educational funding for all 50 states. Districts in California alone were set to receive up to $811 million in federal funding, which constitutes 16% of K-12 funding. Local education officials, including Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her, express outrage at the funding freeze, which could cost their district up to $7. 1 million. The uncertainty over when funds will be released poses significant risks to educational equity for millions of students nationwide.