Title III, the federal funding stream that enables districts to support English learners and professional development for those who serve them, is at risk for the upcoming school year. Funds that were already appropriated by Congress have not yet been delivered to states and districts. Typically, these federal dollars are dispersed in the spring. The deadline for distributing these funds is Tuesday, July 1st—and it does not appear that this critical support will be released in time.
Approximately 5.3 million students are considered English learners, and around 1.1 million live in California. These funds are critically important for supporting English proficiency, providing professional development to support these students and newcomers, and providing programming that meets local needs. Title III can also be used to support our young preschool learners to ensure they get off to the best start possible. Districts and county offices will soon be faced with very difficult decisions and potential cuts considering they were counting on these funds that were appropriated when the federal budget was last approved.
We need your help now.
Take Action: Demand the Release of Title III Funds
Join Californians Together and advocates nationwide to urge Congress to act:
✅ Contact your U.S. House Representative: Find contact info here.
✅ Contact your U.S. Senators: Find contact info here.
Tell them why Title III funding is essential to your students, district, or community. If you’re a district or county office leader, share specific impacts—programs, staff, and student supports that are now in jeopardy.
This isn’t just a bureaucratic delay—it’s a real threat to services that support over 10% of public school students in the U.S. If the funds are not released, the 2025–2026 school year will face major disruptions.
🔗 Read our blog post on the broader Title III funding context and potential cuts.
Thank you for standing with English learners.