UPDATE – July 25:

Nearly a month late, the Trump administration abruptly unfroze billions in education funding withheld from states by the U.S. Department of Education.

Pushes for the funding, due to school districts by July 1, came from constituent calls to Congress and a lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 21 other states. It’s a good reminder: When we fight back against bad policies, we can win.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a lawsuit challenging a recent Trump administration decision to freeze various federal education funding programs previously approved by Congress.

On July 1, the U.S. Department of Education failed to send states nearly $6.9 billion in funding nationally due to the funding freeze implemented by the White House.  A variety of federal programs are affected by the freeze, including teacher training, English language and migrant education, before- and after-school programs, academic enrichment grants, and adult education.

According to figures from NEA, $174.2 million would be withheld from Michigan schools.

“These education grants are designed to help Michigan students thrive,” Nessel said in a news release. “By freezing them, the Trump White House is not just breaking the law but jeopardizing our kids’ future.”

Nearly every Michigan school district is impacted to some degree by this freeze – especially rural and urban districts with high concentrations of poverty.

The lawsuit, filed by attorneys general from 22 states, seeks an injunction against the decision to freeze these funds, allowing them to be released to programs that are already running out of funding and at risk of closing down.

Specific programs affected by the freeze include (with Michigan funding amount listed):

• Title I-C – Education of Migratory Children, which supports the educational needs of students whose families frequently move for seasonal agricultural or fishing work. ($5.4 million for Michigan)
• Title II-A – Supporting Effective Instruction, which provides supplemental funding to help local education agencies (LEAs) implement professional development leadership initiatives that strengthen teaching and improve student academic achievement. ($63.7 million)
• Title III-A – English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement, which supports English learners and enhances multilingual education services. ($12.9 million)
• Title IV-A – Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which aims to improve student achievement by increasing the capacity of states, LEAs, schools, and local communities to offer students a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for learning, and improve the use of technology to boost academic achievement and digital literacy. ($38.3 million)
• Title IV-B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which offers out-of-school academic support, enrichment, youth development, and family engagement for K-12 students. ($36.8 million)
• Adult Basic Literacy; Integrated English Literacy; and Civics Education Grants, which ensure adult education providers can support learners in developing basic reading, writing, mathematics, and English language skills. Programs also help adults receive high school completion or equivalency and gain the workforce skills needed for employment. ($17.0 million)

Stay tuned for the latest developments at www.mea.org/protect.