As you may know, the federal government is withholding over $800M from California’s schools. Please help us urge Congress to contact the US Department of Education and request the immediate release of these funds. 

There are deep concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s recent announcement that it will not release Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funds for six core education formula grant programs totaling $6.9 billion, including Title I-C (Migrant Education), Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction), Title III-A (English Language Acquisition), Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment), Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers), and Adult Education & Family Literacy programs.

These programs underpin educational access and success for millions of students. The sudden impoundment of these funds—without a clear legal explanation—threatens both educational opportunities and operational stability across our state.

California school districts rely on these federal programs to support critical services for some of the most vulnerable student populations:

• Migrant Education (Title I-C): In districts that operate regional migrant programs, these funds support tutoring, summer school, health services, and family outreach—serving families who are essential to the state’s agricultural economy.
• Effective Instruction (Title II-A): This funding is used to provide professional learning for educators and administrators, particularly in areas such as new teacher induction, leadership development, and evidence-based instructional strategies. Districts have already been forced to delay trainings and leave vacancies unfilled due to the funding freeze.
• English Learners (Title III-A): In a state where more than 1 million public school students are English learners, Title III funds enable tailored instruction, bilingual staff support, and academic interventions that improve language acquisition and achievement.
• Student Support & Academic Enrichment (Title IV-A): These dollars enable districts to integrate education technology, expand college and career readiness opportunities, support mental health initiatives, and provide professional development aligned with safe, inclusive learning environments.
• Afterschool Programs (Title IV-B): Federal funding supports before- and after-school learning opportunities that keep students safe and engaged—especially those in under-resourced communities.

The consequences of the Department’s inaction are already being felt. Some California districts are scrambling to cover over $1 million in impacted salaries and programming costs. Others are pausing programs, deferring hiring decisions, or cutting back services. One district is facing a projected shortfall of over $3 million over the next two years if these funds are not restored. Another is considering program closures at high-need school sites that depend on 21st Century grants to fund after school programs.

These decisions are not made lightly—and they are not sustainable. District leaders are doing everything possible to minimize harm to students, but uncertainty at the federal level is causing real and lasting disruption.

These programs were fully funded by Congress in the FY 2025 continuing appropriations law, which clearly allocates funds for each of these titles. The law is unambiguous.

Urge your representatives to contact the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget to request the immediate release of these desperately needed funds. The current impoundment is harming students, destabilizing school systems, and undermining the intent of Congress.