LAUSD to lose millions for English language learners, afterschool programs after Trump admin withholds funds

A Trump administration decision to withhold $6.8 billion of education funding could mean a loss of at least $810 million for California districts, state leaders said Tuesday.

The state’s Department of Education told LAist Tuesday the total funding loss could exceed $1 billion, spread across five long-standing federally funded programs that support teacher training, English language learners and afterschool programs across the country.

Los Angeles Unified School District leaders called on the federal government to release the funding. The district expects to lose $110.5 million budgeted for the upcoming school year.

”It targets some of the most vulnerable student populations in our community,” said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “It deprives teachers and students alike of the funding necessary to maintain a viable workforce, to professionalize our teachers, to maintain kids in school, to provide afterschool programs, to provide kids who depend on tutoring programs and coaching and counseling support.”

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A federal official told the Los Angeles Times no final decision has been made on the programs’ funding.

What would the cuts mean for LAUSD?

LAUSD’s budget already included $46 million to backfill previously announced federal cuts, including to school food and mental health programs. The latest cuts represent less than one percent of the district's $18.8 billion budget. Carvalho said reserves will fill the funding gap next school year. The district does not plan to lay off the estimated 400 staff these programs support.

“Every one of these programs has some degree, direct, or indirect, of attachment to immigrant communities,” Carvalho said. “ It is part of an ongoing effort to scapegoat our nation's ills on immigrant communities, which is not fair, not just, it is immoral and certainly unethical.”

About 96,000 students, who speak more than 100 languages, are learning English in LAUSD schools. The district does not collect information about students’ immigration status, but immigrants make up at least one-third of L.A. County's population.

Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill is the daughter of immigrant parents from Belize.

“The fact that I became an educator was because of funds that were supported in Title II,” Newbill said, referring to one of the targeted programs. “The fact that I stand before you as a parent who has used and been able to attain care for my children at school sites is because of funds like this. This is a disgrace.”

The five federal education programs at risk

Title I-C

• Also known as: the Migrant Education Program
• What it funds: education and support for the children of families that move to follow work in agriculture, dairy, lumber and fishing industries
• LAUSD receives: $1.4 million

Title II-A

• Also known as: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants
• What it funds: teacher and administrator preparation, certification and professional development
• LAUSD receives: $30.2 million

Title III-A

• Also known as: English Language Acquisition State Grants
• What it funds: support for English language learners
• LAUSD receives: $10 million, which includes 139 employees

Title IV-A

• Also known as: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program
• What it funds: academic and enrichment programs including summer school and counselors; technology
• LAUSD receives: $45.4 million, which includes 31 employees

Title IV-B

• Also known as: 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program
• What it funds: before- and after-school programs in high-poverty communities 
• LAUSD receives: $23.2 million