On June 30, 2025, the Trump administration announced a decision to withhold approximately $6.8 billion in federal education funding, a move that has sent shockwaves through school districts across the United States.
This funding, previously approved by Congress for the 2025-26 fiscal year, was intended to support critical K-12 programs, including services for English learners, migrant students, teacher training, after-school programs, and classroom technology.
California, one of the hardest-hit states, stands to lose at least $811 million, prompting swift backlash from state officials and education advocates who argue the freeze is both disruptive and illegal.
The frozen funds encompass several key programs mandated by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, representing over 10% of federal K-12 spending in 33 states, according to the Learning Policy Institute. These include:
- Title I-C: $376 million for migrant education programs.
- Title II: $2 billion for teacher professional development and class size reduction.
- Title III: $890 million for English language learners.
- Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers): $1.3 billion for after-school and summer programs.
- Academic Enrichment Grants: $1 billion for science, math, and accelerated learning.
- Adult Literacy: $715 million for adult education programs.
Nationwide, these programs serve millions of students, including approximately 5 million English learners speaking over 100 languages, with 1.1 million in California alone.
The freeze threatens to disrupt services for some of the nation’s most vulnerable students, including low-income children, English learners, and children of migrant workers.
In rural districts like Umatilla, Oregon, which rely heavily on federal funds for after-school and summer programs, superintendents report they may be forced to lay off staff or cancel programs entirely if the funds remain withheld.
In California, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation’s second-largest school system, faces a loss of $110.5 million, impacting roughly 400 staff positions, including counselors and multilingual educators.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasized that these programs are “lifelines” for immigrant and low-income communities, stating, “Every one of these programs has some degree of attachment to fragile communities, and certainly, immigrant communities.”
Legal and Political Backlash
The Trump administration’s decision, announced with less than a day’s notice, has been met with accusations of illegality.
Federal law prohibits the White House from unilaterally withholding funds appropriated by Congress, and any rescission of funds requires Congressional approval within 45 days.
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond called the move “a political move that weaponizes federal funding” and vowed to pursue legal action, citing previous court victories against similar Trump administration funding freezes.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of over 20 states in a lawsuit to block the freeze, arguing it violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
Bonta previously challenged a January 2025 funding freeze, which caused widespread disruption before being partially rescinded following a federal judge’s intervention.
State officials warn that prolonged delays could lead to program closures, layoffs, and increased absenteeism, particularly in districts serving high-needs populations.
Education advocates, including Martha Hernandez of Californians Together, argue that the freeze disproportionately harms English learners, who rely on Title III funds for legally mandated services.
“These funds help students learn English,” Hernandez said, emphasizing that the majority of English learners are in English-only settings.
The Afterschool Alliance’s Jodi Grant warned that without these funds, “we will quickly see more children and youth unsupervised and at risk, more academic failures, more hungry kids, more chronic absenteeism, higher dropout rates.”
Administration’s Rationale and Congressional Response
The U.S. Department of Education, in a notice obtained by The Associated Press, stated that the funds are under review to ensure alignment with President Trump’s priorities.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Director Russell Vought, has suggested a “pocket rescission” strategy, which could allow the administration to let the funds expire by withholding them through September 30, 2025, even without Congressional approval.
This tactic has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer calling it “a dagger at the heart of the average American family.”
Republicans, however, have defended the review as a standard practice for new administrations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, “I think that’s a normal practice at the beginning of administration, until they have an opportunity to review how the money is being spent.”
The administration has also signaled plans to eliminate these programs entirely in the 2026-27 budget, proposing to consolidate some into block grants with less federal oversight, a move requiring Congressional approval.
School districts nationwide are scrambling to address the funding shortfall.
In Gadsden, Alabama, officials report that without the frozen funds, their after-school program serving 1,200 low-income students could shut down.
In California’s Oxnard School District, Superintendent Anabolena DeGenna described the affected programs as “not luxuries in our schools; they’re lifelines,” critical for post-COVID recovery efforts.
LAUSD plans to use reserves to maintain programs for the 2025-26 school year but warned that long-term sustainability is uncertain without federal support.
The timing of the freeze exacerbates challenges, as many districts had already budgeted for the funds and hired staff for the upcoming school year.
The Council of Chief State School Officers and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, have urged the administration to release the funds, warning of “budget cuts that impact students” nationwide.
Ongoing Tensions
This funding freeze is part of a broader pattern of conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic-leaning states like California.
In recent months, the administration has threatened to cut federal education funds over issues like transgender athlete participation and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has linked potential funding cuts to California’s non-compliance with Title IX regulations, particularly regarding transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
California has responded defiantly, with Governor Gavin Newsom and state education officials vowing to protect students’ access to resources.
The state’s lawsuit against the funding freeze is one of several legal challenges, including a March 2025 suit over the cancellation of $600 million in teacher training grants and an April 2025 suit to restore COVID relief funds.
As schools prepare for the 2025-26 academic year, the uncertainty surrounding federal funding looms large.
Education leaders warn that continued delays could exacerbate learning loss, widen achievement gaps, and strain already tight budgets, particularly in districts serving low-income and immigrant communities.
While California and other states pursue legal remedies, the outcome of this funding dispute will likely shape the national education landscape for years to come.
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