President Donald Trump’s administration has blocked the release of an estimated $6.2 billion in congressionally approved education funding through United States Department of Education grant programs, including what one group estimated to be $46.4 million appropriated for Alaska schools.
On July 3, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) confirmed that the federal department notified states that grants would not be dispersed July 1 as expected, including:
- Migrant Education — to improve educational opportunities for migratory children to help them succeed in the regular school program;
- Supporting Effective Instruction — to increase student achievement, and improve the quality and effectiveness of instructors;
- Language Instruction for English Learners — to help ensure that English learners, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English;
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment — to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve use of technology; and
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers — to provide competitive grants to organizations that are working in partnership within their community and schools to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for children and their families outside of regular school hours.
DEED did not respond to an interview request or provide more details on how much was currently frozen from each program by the afternoon of July 3.
According to federal budget data compiled by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), a nonpartisan education research nonprofit, Alaska is facing an estimated $46.4 million in grants withheld by the department, or 15% of total federal funds for K-12 education.
That includes $21.3 million for migrant education, $10.8 million for supporting effective instruction, $1.1 million for English language learning, $6.6 million for student support and academic enrichment, and $6.5 million for 21st Century community learning center programs, according to the LPI data analysis.
The Trump administration has left states and territories to face severe budget shortfalls and potential disruptions to summer school and enrichment programs.
Bryan Zadalis, a public information officer with DEED, said by email on July 3 that the U.S. Department of Education has indicated the delay is part of a broader review process by the Trump administration.
“While no timeline has been provided for when funds will be available, the [U.S. Department of Education] has emphasized its intent to ensure decisions are aligned with federal priorities and statutory responsibilities,” Zadalis said.
“At this time, we are not able to provide specific guidance on how this delay may impact district-level planning or program operations,” Zadalis said. “However, DEED is actively monitoring the situation and will be prepared to take advantage of any flexibility or waiver opportunities that may be offered.”
Anchorage Democrat Sen. Löki Tobin, who chairs the Alaska Senate Education Committee, condemned the move by the Trump administration.
“It is absolutely abhorrent and disgusting to me, the continued insidious, quiet, and now very loud attack on the fundamental right for every child to be able to access a quality education,” she said in a phone interview on July 3.
Tobin said that the move to block the dispersal of federal funding hits Alaska schools, including her district of Anchorage, especially hard. DEED is considering a rule change to limit local contributions to schools, saying that it’s necessary to comply with a federal disparity test. That issue could cost school districts millions of dollars.
“Add on to that now this impoundment of federal dollars for migrant ed[ucation], and special education services, and English language learning programs, and 21st Century school learning programs. Anchorage is again looking at another $15 million loss,” Tobin said.
Officials with the Anchorage School District — which educates nearly 43,000 students — sent a letter to staff shared with the Alaska Beacon saying they are assessing the delay and impact to the district, and in the meantime “a hiring freeze is in effect for positions funded (in part or in whole) by these programs until our financial outlook becomes clearer.”
In addition, Tobin pointed to Alaska school districts grappling with severe budget deficits following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a portion of per student funding earlier this month. This week he announced a special session in August pushing up a promised veto override vote by the Alaska State Legislature.
Tobin said the changes amounted to “undermining a core, foundational pillar of the American economy and the American ethos. That every child has a right to learn to read. Every child has a right to become a thriving community member. Every child has a right to prosperity. This is denying opportunity to an entire generation, and they should be ashamed.”
This article is republished from the Alaska Beacon under a Creative Commons license.