The funding is used for programs that support children learning English as a second language, among other things.
Over $72.6 million in federal funding for Wisconsin K-12 schools is being withheld as the result of national efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump.
In total, the U.S. Department of Education is withholding roughly $6.2 billion for K-12 school districts across the U.S. while it reviews the programs responsible for allocating that money. Those funds are spread across five federal programs supporting the learning of migrant children and those learning English as a second language, as well as educator training, school technology, and after-school programs for children in high-poverty schools.
Typically, those funding streams are made available to states and districts on July 1 each year. They are authorized through “Title” grant programs via the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The future of that funding is unclear.
According to reporting by USA TODAY, a notice sent to congressional staff on June 30 warned lawmakers that states wouldn’t get their funding estimates on time. The money, the notice said, is under review due to the change in presidential administrations, and “decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.”
“The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” wrote Brandy Brown, a top Education Department official.
In Wisconsin, there are nearly 56,000 children learning English as a second language. Those students account for 6.9% of the state’s total K-12 public school population, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The DPI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In Wisconsin, $72.6 million federal funds withheld
At the national level, the so-far-unallocated funds represent 14.4% of all Department of Education funding for schools, according to the Learning Policy Institute.
The percentage is slightly lower for Wisconsin, at 11.5% of its total federal funding. That sum is $72,636,782 in unallocated money for Wisconsin schools across five programs:
- Migrant Education Program, Title 1 Part C: $526,185
- Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Title II, Part A: $29,440,227
- English Language Acquisition State Grants, Title III Part A: $7,856,363
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program, Title IV Part A: $17,789,110
- Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Title IV, Part B: $17,024,897
Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa.
