WASHINGTON (AP) – A sweeping reorganization of federal education programs, shifting โthe $18โ billion Title I grant program from the Department of Education to the โขDepartment of Labour, is sparking widespread concern among schoolโ districts adn education advocatesโ who fear disruption to vital services for โขmillions of students. The move, announced by โฃacting Labor Secretary โคJulie Su, is slatedโ to impact 26 million students in low-income โareas.
The transfer represents a significant dismantling of the Education Department’s structure, reversing a decades-long trend of consolidating federal education initiatives. Established in 1979 to address fragmented policies, theโ department now faces aโข major restructuring that critics argue will create new administrative hurdles and uncertaintyโข for schools already grappling wiht pandemic-related learning lossโ and increasing studentโ needs.
Title I funding is crucial for schoolsโ serving large populations of students fromโ low-income โฃfamilies, providing resources forโฃ academic support, tutoring, and other essentialโฃ services. Angela Hanks, who โpreviously โฃled the Labor office under the Biden management,โข warned the shift could “unleash chaos on school districts,โ and ultimately, โon โฃour kids,” given theโ Labor Departmentโข currently manages grants serving only 130,000 people annually.
In Salem, Massachusetts,โ Superintendentโข Stephen Zrike expressed apprehension aboutโค potential changes โto program requirements. The district receives approximately โ$6โฃ million in federal fundingโค supporting students who are low-income, homeless, or still mastering English.โข “We don’t know what โother stipulations will be attached to the funding,” Zrike said. “The level ofโ uncertainty is enormous.”
Rep.โ Bobbyโค Scott, D-Va., ranking memberโ of the House Education and Workforce Committee, urged acting secretary McMahonโข to reconsider โขthe plan, citing the original intentโ of the 1979 law that created โthe Education Department โto resolve “fragmented, โduplicative, and frequently enough โคinconsistent Federal policies relating to education.”
The โAssociated Press’ education coverage receives financial support fromโฃ multiple private โfoundations. APโ is solely responsible for all content. AP’s standards โfor working with philanthropies, a list ofโฃ supporters and funded coverage areas are available at AP.org.