The U.S. Department of Education has notified states it has indefinitely paused $6 billion in federal funding that helps pay for teacher professional development, English language learners and some before- and after-school programs.
In Kentucky, the loss of those federal funds to all Kentucky school districts is about $87 million, according to state education officials.
The timing of the notification was particularly alarming.
Federal officials alerted state officials on Monday, the day before most states receive federal funding on July 1, according to National Public Radio. Moreover, many school districts have built budgets predicated on those federal funds being there when school begins later this summer.
Kentucky education officials said Wednesday they received notification from federal officials Tuesday about the pausing of those federal grants, said Jennifer Ginn, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Education.
In Kentucky, the following grant money has been paused:
- $7.9 million for migrant education.
- $33.6 million for supporting effective instruction.
- $5.7 million for English language acquisition.
- $20.3 million for student support and academic enrichment.
- $19.4 million for 21st Century Learning Centers.
The largest part of money under review is money set aside for professional development, or money districts use to augment teacher training.
The 21st Century Learning grant — which supports after-school activities — is one of the grants under review. That federal grant money is used for before- or after school enrichment activities and many summer learning programs.
Other grant programs frozen also include money to pay for teachers and programs that teach English as a second language.
The move comes as many school districts are scrambling to find money to pay for buses, building improvements, and other programs after the U.S. Department of Education notified states it was revoking outstanding COVID funding that federal officials had previously told districts they could spend.
In total, Kentucky school districts and the Kentucky Department of Education had nearly $56 million in COVID funding revoked earlier this year.
Read the rest at the Herald-Leader.
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