Trump admin. withholds $94 million for Mass. K-12 schools
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Massachusetts has a $94 million hole for K-12 schools as the Trump administration holds off on releasing federal education funding.
Why it matters: The Department of Education's funding delay deals a major blow to Massachusetts summer school and after-school programs, as well as English-language instruction and other resources that aim to level the playing field among schoolchildren.
Catch up quick: The Education Department said in a last-minute notice that the funds would not be released while the programs were under review, according to the School Superintendents Association.
By the numbers: The funding in limbo includes $20.6 million in after-school and summer instruction in Massachusetts, per the Learning Policy Institute, which conducts research to improve education policies.
- The funding particularly goes toward programming in underserved and low-performing schools.
- The pause also affects $30 million in educator development funds, $20.5 million in English language programming and $1.3 million for migrant education in Massachusetts.
Zoom out: Some $6.2 billion in K-12 funds across five programs remains unavailable to schools across the country, per the LPI estimates.
Threat level: If unreleased 21st Century Community Learning Center funds — the chief stream for academic enrichment outside of school hours — remain blocked, the "fallout will be swift and devastating," Boys and Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Jim Clark said in a statement.
- Up to 926 Boys and Girls Clubs could be forced to shut their doors, he said, and club sites and camps "could shutter mid-season — upending care for working parents and leaving kids without critical safety nets."
Jodi Grant, the executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, described the withholding of funds as "a stunning betrayal," as states and territories had already committed money to after-school and summer learning programs.
- She emphasized that after-school programs have broad bipartisan support, and a majority of voters say they're a necessity for their communities.
- 21st CCLC serves nearly 1.4 million youth and their families through grants awarded by state education agencies, according to the Afterschool Alliance.