School closures loom as Trump administration freezes $6 billion in education funds
- A funding freeze by the Department of Education has caused confusion among school districts, with concerns raised about illegal education cuts.
- Advocacy groups and school systems are urging the Trump administration to release nearly $6 billion in federal funds to avoid potential school closures.
- Bipartisan lawmakers have voiced their concerns, emphasizing that withholding funds contradicts efforts to restore educational control to local authorities.
In the United States, as the new school year approached in July 2020, concerns rose regarding a funding freeze by the Department of Education impacting around $6 billion allocated for various educational programs. The decision was announced on June 30, with federal aid typically distributed on July 1. This freeze has led multiple school districts to express fears of potential school closures due to budget constraints. Various school systems indicated that the federal funds are crucial for maintaining essential programs, particularly in low-income districts and those supporting English language learners. The announcement prompted a lawsuit from Alaska's largest school district and other advocacy groups claiming the funding cuts were illegal and detrimental to students, considering they support critical initiatives like after-school programs and adult education.