Last Friday, the White House Office of Management and Budget released its top line budget for FY 2026. Included in the proposed budget were major cuts to education spending that are in line with the Trump administration’s priorities for education policy. Most concerning for those who advocate for equitable education for our nation’s more than five million English learners is a complete cut (totaling $890 million) to the Title III federal formula grant fund to states for supporting English learners.
The proposed budget, also referred to as a “skinny budget”, includes notes alongside the potential changes in funding that describe the logic behind the dollar amounts. The document says that Title III funds “deemphasize English primacy…to encourage bilingualism”. The idea that these funds, or any other that go toward supporting English learners, challenge the use of the English language in the United States is a pretense that is entirely false. The Office of English Language Acquisition, which has also seen severe cuts. Federal Title III funds, and state and local advocacy all work in tandem to ensure that students gain proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English. What the proposed budget fails to recognize is that English learners are best positioned to gain fluency in English when their home languages are respected and encouraged. Yes, we absolutely encourage bilingualism—as should anyone who is serious about ensuring students are prepared to participate in a complex global economy.
An accompanying press release from the U.S. Department of Education frames the cuts as a sign that the administration is “responsibly winding down” the department, and the federal role in education. Entirely eliminating Title III only serves to put the burden entirely on states to cover services for English learners. It is a shortsighted move that will force states to make difficult decisions as they seek to balance their own budgets.
The budget also calls for the complete elimination of migrant education funding. This program, at present, is funded at $428 million. The document notes that this program encourages family movement, and that eliminating funding will encourage stability and academic continuity. This, again, ignores economic reality in favor of making an ideological statement.
“Cutting Title III funds undermines decades of research, practice, and progress. Californians Together will not stand by while the needs of over five million students are disregarded. Supporting bilingualism is not a threat—it’s a strength. We must invest in equity, not erase it.” – Martha Hernandez, Executive Director, Californians Together
Let’s be clear: all students have a right to an education no matter what language they speak. That is not our opinion, it was a right decided by the U.S. Supreme Court decades ago. Regardless of intent, these cuts represent the latest attempt to undermine that right.
The federal budget is, ultimately, written and passed by the U.S. Congress. We are still early in the budget process as it will still need to go through a number of committees for hearings and votes. Final budgets rarely reflect the entirety of White House proposals. We will continue to monitor all federal developments, including those that pertain to the budget. Nothing will deter Californians Together from continuing to advocate for the rights of English learners and newcomers everywhere. Follow us on social media and via our email list to learn how you can join us in preserving rights for all students.