COLUMBUS, Ohio -Federal education funds totaling approximately $114.3 million are expected to flow to local districts and charter schools in Ohio, after the administration of President Donald Trump said it will unfreeze $5 billion it had previously been withholding from states.
The money will pay for educator professional development, English-language instruction for migrants, technology and building enhancements, migrant education and English-language acquisition.
Last year, Ohio received $184.8 million of the $6.8 billion federal allotment. This year, the total is lower, according to information provided by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
Separately, the Trump administration said it would release an additional $41.5 million to Ohio for a program known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide academic enrichment in core subjects outside of school hours and are the country’s only federal after-school program. However, that funding only brings Ohio’s total to $155 million, which is still lower than what the state received last year.
Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer has asked a DEW spokeswoman about the lower funding levels this year.
The $114.3 million will be distributed to 972 charter schools and local school districts.
In Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Municipal School District is expected to receive $6.9 million. Parma City School District is to receive $778,000. Euclid City School District is to receive $600,000.
Search for your Cuyahoga County school district or charter school below.
Note that some of the money was distributed through competitive grants. Remaining money is distributed based on need or through programs established at schools that the state works with.
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The U.S. Department of Education told DEW and other state education agencies June 30 that it was reviewing the programs that were being funded and it would not immediately distribute the money. Last week, it told states that the money must be spent on agency priorities.
Several Democratic states sued the administration for the funding hold, and Trump received pressure from politicians in his own party, including 10 GOP senators who asked that their states get the money.
In Ohio, the funding represents a relatively small amount of total federal support for education. Last year, Ohio public schools received $3.2 billion from the feds, according to a state report.
Nevertheless, supporters of the programs said they are transformative.
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