The Education Department has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of the programs subject to the Trump’s administration’s withholding of $6 billion in funding on July 1 to ensure that the spending aligned with the “White House’s priorities.”
Money will be sent to states and schools next week for English Language instruction, professional development, adult literacy, and other programs, the Education Department said
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The OMB reviewed $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and recruitment; $890 million for English Language Learners; $715 million for adult literacy programs; $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers; and $1 billion for academic enrichment grants.
Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion of the money for 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is the primary federal funding source for after-school and summer learning.
The move will release at least $800 million to California and more than $660 million to Texas.
The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, Congress members from both parties and others called for the administration to release money schools rely on for a wide range of programs.
The release of that money came days after 10 Republican senators sent a letter asking the administration to release the education funds to states. Among the members of Congress calling for the release was U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who told AP News, “The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children, which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies, and programs to support adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education.”