This article discusses how withheld federal grants have impacted educational programs for working families, especially focusing on English language learners.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Impact on Harford County, Maryland: The withheld federal money constituted over half the budget for the district’s summer camp for English language learners. This funding is crucial for hiring certified teachers adn integrating learning into play, helping students maintain their English and academic skills over the summer.
Target Population: The district serves approximately 1,100 non-native English speakers, many of whom are U.S.-born children of parents who sought job opportunities in the region. During the school year, this federal money also supports tutors for these students.
Summer Camp Activities: The article describes a scene at Bel Air High School where over 350 children participated in the summer camp. Activities included an alphabet wheel for young learners, a robotics presentation for middle schoolers, and art projects assisted by high school volunteers who were former campers themselves.
Senator Murray’s Criticism: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa., criticized the funding uncertainty, stating that it forced communities to cut back on tutoring and face potential teacher layoffs, diverting focus from improving after-school options and academic scores.
Types of Grants Affected: The withheld grants included critically important amounts for:
Teachers’ professional growth and class size reduction ($2 billion)
Academic enrichment (science, math, accelerated learning) ($1 billion)
english language learners ($890 million)
Education for children of migrant workers ($376 million)
Adult literacy ($715 million)
* Financial Impact on Districts: The article highlights the substantial financial impact on both large and small school districts. Such as, Los Angeles Unified received $62 million, Philadelphia’s district got $28 million, and Miami’s received over $24 million in the 2022-23 school year from just three of these grant programs. Smaller districts also received significant per-student funding, representing considerable budget gaps.
In essence, the article illustrates how federal funding cuts, specifically those impacting programs for English language learners and other educational initiatives, create significant challenges for school districts and the students they serve, particularly those from working families.
