Trump admin withholds $6 billion for after-school, summer programs

Judge blocks Trump admin. from closing education dept.

A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, ruling that the agency must reinstate employees affected by recent mass layoffs. The Trump administration says it plans to appeal the decision. Chalkbeat National Editor Erica Meltzer joins LiveNOW from FOX’s Carel Lajara to break down the ruling, its implications for federal education policy, and what comes next.

The Trump administration is withholding more than $6 billion in federal grants for after-school and summer programs. 

Education Department withholding grants

Big picture view:

The grants fund after-school and summer programs that include English language instruction, adult literacy and more. 

The administration says it is reviewing the grants to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

For context:

Trump’s administration has cut billions of dollars in federal grants deemed to be related to DEI and has threatened to cut billions more from schools and colleges over diversity practices. He has also made moves to dismantle the Department of Education, which disperses federal grants.

READ MORE: Judge blocks Trump’s order to shut down the Education Department

By the numbers:

More than $6 billion in federal grants was withheld, with funds six grant programs that The Associated Press reported were under review:

• $2 billion in grants for teachers' professional development and efforts to reduce class size
• $1.3 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which fund after-school and summer learning programs
• $1 billion for academic enrichment grants
• $890 million for students who are learning English
• $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers
• $715 million to teach adults how to read

FILE - Blue metal lockers in a nondescript hallway. Getty Images

Timeline:

Programs that rely on the money were expecting it to be distributed July 1, but an Education Department notice issued Monday, June 30, announced the money would not be released while the programs are under review. 

The department did not provide a timeline and warned that "decisions have not yet been made" on grants for the upcoming school year.

What they're saying:

"The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities," Education Department officials wrote in the notice, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

The outlet said the Office of Management and Budget did not respond to their request for comment. 

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Why you should care:

Classes or camps underway this summer could be in jeopardy, and after-school programming in the fall could also take a hit. 

Without the money, schools say they won't be able to provide free or affordable after-school care for low-income kids while their parents work, and they may not be able to hire staff to teach children who are learning English.

In particular:

Boys and Girls Club President Jim Clark said some of its summer programming may end mid-season if funding isn’t restored soon.