The state education department did not respond to an interview request, or more details on how much was currently frozen from each program, by Thursday afternoon.
The Trump administration has left states and territories to face severe budget shortfalls and potential disruptions to summer school and enrichment programs.
Bryan Zadalis, a public information officer with the state education department, said Thursday by email that the U.S. Department of Education has indicated the delay is part of a broader review process by the Trump administration.
The state education department is considering a rule change to limit local contributions to schools, saying that it’s necessary to comply with a federal disparity test.
“Add on to that now this impoundment of federal dollars for migrant ed, and special education services, and English language learning programs, and 21st Century school learning programs.
A total of $6.02 billion in congressionally approved education funding has been blocked by President Donald Trump’s administration through the U.S. A. One group calculated that $46.4 million had been appropriated for Alaskan schools through Department of Education grant programs.
The federal department informed the states that grants would not be distributed on July 1 as planned, according to confirmation from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development on Thursday.
Enhancing educational opportunities for migrant children to help them thrive in the regular school program is known as “Migrant Education.”.
• Promoting Effective Instruction: to raise student performance and enhance the caliber and efficacy of teachers.
To help ensure that English learners, including immigrant children and youth, achieve high levels of academic achievement in English, language instruction is provided.
• Student Support and Academic Enrichment — to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve use of technology; and.
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers: these centers will award competitive grants to community-based organizations and schools that collaborate to offer children and their families more learning and enrichment opportunities outside of regular school hours.
An interview request and additional information about the amount currently frozen from each program were not answered by Thursday afternoon from the state education department.
Alaska is expected to receive an estimated $46.4 million in grants withheld by the department, or 15% of all federal funds for K–12 education, according to federal budget data compiled by the Learning Policy Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education research.
According to data analysis by the Learning Policy Institute, this includes $21.3 million for migrant education, $10.8 million for effective instruction support, $1.1 million for English language learning, $6.6 million for academic enrichment and student support, and $6.5 million for 21st Century community learning center programs.
States and territories now have to deal with significant budget deficits and possible disruptions to summer school and enrichment programs as a result of the Trump administration.
Bryan Zadalis, a state education department public information officer, stated via email on Thursday that the U. S. The Department of Education has stated that the delay is a component of the Trump administration’s larger review process.
He said, “The Department has emphasized its intent to ensure decisions are aligned with federal priorities and statutory responsibilities, even though no timeline has been provided for when funds will be available.”.
“We are not currently in a position to offer specific guidance regarding the potential effects of this delay on district-level planning or program operations,” Zadalis stated. DEED, however, is keeping a close eye on the situation and is ready to seize any opportunities for flexibility or waiver that may arise. “”.
Democrat Senator from Anchorage. The Trump administration’s action was denounced by Senate Education Committee Chair Löki Tobin.
In a phone interview Thursday, she stated, “I find it completely disgusting and abhorrent that the fundamental right of every child to receive a high-quality education is being attacked in such a subtle, silent, and now loud manner.”.
Tobin stated that Alaska schools, including her district of Anchorage, are particularly affected by the decision to halt the distribution of federal funds. In order to comply with a federal disparity test, the state education department is considering changing the rule to limit local contributions to schools. Millions of dollars could be lost by school districts as a result.
Additionally, federal funds for special education services, English language learning programs, migrant education, and 21st century school learning initiatives have been impounding. “An additional $15 million loss is likely for Anchorage,” Tobin stated.
In a letter to employees that was obtained by the Beacon, officials from the Anchorage School District, which serves almost 43,000 students, stated that while they are evaluating the impact and delay on the district, “a hiring freeze is in effect for positions funded (in part or in whole) by these programs until our financial outlook becomes clearer.”. “.”.
Tobin also mentioned Alaska school districts that are facing significant budget deficits as a result of the Republican governor’s. Earlier in June, Mike Dunleavy vetoed a portion of the funding allocated to each student. In an attempt to thwart attempts to override his vetoes, he asked House minority Republicans not to attend the first five days of the August special session, which he announced this week, pushing up a promised veto override vote by the Alaska Legislature.
“Undermining a core, foundational pillar of the American economy and the American ethos” is how Tobin described the changes. that all kids should be able to read. Every child is entitled to develop into a successful member of the community. Each and every child is entitled to success. They should feel ashamed because this is depriving a whole generation of opportunities. “.”.
