New York schools will receive more than $463 million in critical education funding following a legal victory that forced the federal government to release nearly $7 billion previously frozen nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Education reversed course after a lawsuit filed last month by New York and a multistate coalition challenged the sudden freeze of grant funding for six major education programs. The decision arrives just weeks before the new school year begins, restoring essential support for programs across all 730 school districts in the state.
The funding includes allocations for after-school enrichment, teacher training, school safety, adult education, English language instruction, and services for immigrant students. Officials said the freeze had placed thousands of students and dozens of jobs at risk, while also straining family childcare resources over the summer.
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said the restored funds will “empower both schools and districts to provide critical supports and services to their students, educators, and school communities.”
The lawsuit, filed July 14, alleged that the Trump administration’s June 30 freeze violated federal budget laws and constitutional requirements. The abrupt action jeopardized 13 percent of New York’s K-12 federal funding, prompting schools to cancel summer learning programs and reassess fall budgets. At least 67 full-time jobs at the State Education Department were in jeopardy prior to the reversal.
With the funding restored, New York will receive more than $125 million for teacher development, $107 million for school safety and classroom improvements, $102 million for youth enrichment and after-school programs, and $52 million for adult education and workforce development.
English learners across the state—including nearly half of all students in New York City public schools—will now regain access to language and literacy instruction. An additional $10 million will support services for immigrant students.
The lawsuit was backed by 22 other attorneys general and the governors of Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
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