6 days ago
White House to Release $1.3 Billion in Frozen Funds for After School
The Trump administration said Friday that it would release $1.3 billion in frozen federal funding for after-school programs across the country, after facing growing bipartisan pressure.
The Trump administration, which wants to slash spending and reduce the federal government's role in education, had abruptly withheld the money, along with billions in other education dollars. It said it was conducting a review and had found instances of federal dollars being 'grossly misused to subsidize a radical left-wing agenda.'
In a lawsuit, Democratic leaders in 24 states said the move was illegal.
On Friday, the White House Office of Management and Budget said that money would be released for a program that funds after-school and other services outside of school hours for an estimated 1.4 million students nationwide, many from lower-income families. It said that officials had made plans to ensure the funds did not violate President Trump's executive orders.
Some federally funded after-school programs had been making plans to cut back or shut down. The release of the funds means they will be able to open this school year, preserving a lifeline for working parents.
About 20 percent of students in after-school programs nationwide are supported by federal funding, according to the Afterschool Alliance, an advocacy group. In some communities, federally funded programs include ones run by the Boys & Girls Club and the Y.M.C.A.
The Trump administration withheld funding from a number of education programs this summer, which also included money for teacher training and help for children learning English. The Department of Education notified states on June 30 that they would not receive the money on July 1 as expected.
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