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LAUSD to lose millions for English language learners, afterschool programs after Trump admin withholds funds
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent leaders said federal programs targeted for cuts support about 400 full-time staff, including counselors, and multilingual educators.
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Mariana Dale
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LAist
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What you need to know
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.
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California law explicitly allows trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports, and those protections could stop Trump from blocking their participation. -
California receives $2.4 billion in federal Title I money for low-income schools, about $1.3 billion for special education and $250 million for after-school programs, among other grants. -
Special education is shifting to a different federal agency. Advocates fear the loss of expertise will harm students.
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.
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“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
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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