Title III

Learn more about the federal money for English-language acquisition, including how much money there is and how it's administered

Explainer

Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
Title III Funding for English Learners, Explained
As the nation’s English-learner population continues to grow , researchers look to the Title III for how to best support these students.
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Remaining letters on the Department of Education on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington.
Remaining letters on the U.S. Department of Education building in Washington on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Despite the agency's efforts to shift management of many of its programs to the U.S. Department of Labor, key K-12 funds will continue to flow through the Education Department's grants system this summer.
Allison Robbert/AP
Education Funding Federal Funds for Schools Will Still Flow Through Ed. Dept. System—For Now
The Trump administration has been touting its transfer of K-12 programs to the Labor Department.
Mark Lieberman, April 21, 2026
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5 min read
TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a third-grade English learners class at the 700-student intermediate school that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024.
TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a 3rd grade English-learner class at a school that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024. Experts say there is no one-size-fits-all funding model for English learners.
Jessie Wardarski/AP
English Learners How to Make English-Learner Funding 'Fair and Effective'
Experts share how state funding models can better support English learners with various needs.
Ileana Najarro, April 8, 2026
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5 min read
Pictures show what mouth shape different sounds make on the walls of Diana Oviedo-Holguin’s class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2025.
Pictures show what mouth shape different sounds make on the walls of Diana Oviedo-Holguin’s class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2025. While educators feel relieved that federal dollars for supplemental English-learner resources will continue in the next fiscal year, they remain uncertain for the years to come.
Noah Devereaux for Education Week
Education Funding Educators Warn Flat English Learner Funding Falls Short of Growing Demand
Educators remain uncertain about the future of federal funds for English learners.
Ileana Najarro, February 26, 2026
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3 min read
New teacher participants at the summer institute participate in a professional development activity in June 2025 in Washington.
New teacher participants at the summer institute engage in a professional development activity in June 2025 in Washington. The training is funded by a National Professional Development grant, the fate of which is now in limbo as the Trump administration cuts some of these programs.
Courtesy of Laureen Avery
English Learners Trump Admin. Cuts Some Teacher-Training Grants for English Learners
The Trump administration has cut funding for some English learner PD grants, sparking confusion and prompting appeals.
Ileana Najarro, September 25, 2025
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6 min read
Ed Week Guiding
Eglė Plytnikaitė for Education Week
English Learners The Critical Role States Play in English Learners’ Education
States set guidance for schools working with English learners. That role is key now, experts say.
Ileana Najarro, September 22, 2025
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7 min read
TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a 3rd grade English learners class at the 700-student Worthington Intermediate School that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024.
TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a 3rd grade English-learners class at the 700-student Worthington Intermediate School that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024. English-learner advocates call for national leaders to protect federal dollars dedicated to these students.
Jessie Wardarski/AP
English Learners Advocates Push Congress to Protect Funding for English Learners
President Donald Trump has called for eliminating federal dollars set aside for English learners. Advocates make their case.
Ileana Najarro, August 27, 2025
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3 min read
Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here working with 2nd grade student Maria Gonzalez de Leon at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022, is a bilingual aid at the school. Other students at the table are from left, Herlina Hernandez Guidel, Xavier Hooker, and Jaciel Felipe Matias.
Bilingual aide Elizabeth Alonzo works with 2nd grader Maria Gonzalez de Leon, along with classmates, from left, Herlina Hernandez Guidel, Xavier Hooker, and Jaciel Felipe Matias, at West Elementary School in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. Supplemental staff such as aides and tutors can be funded through Title III, but those funds are currently frozen, leaving hiring decisions in limbo.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners Delayed Title III Funds Leave Districts' English-Learner Expenses in Limbo
The $890 million Title III program is among the billions the Trump administration is currently withholding from schools.
Ileana Najarro, July 16, 2025
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4 min read
Collage of images: scissors cutting money, with multicultural kids in background; blue theme.
Liz Yap/Education Week and Getty/E+
Education Funding Interactive See How Much Federal Money Trump Is Holding Back From Your District
Hundreds of districts will lose more than $1 million each, according to a new analysis.
Mark Lieberman, July 8, 2025
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1 min read
Image of a $100 dollar bill that is cut into blocks for distribution.
E+/Getty
Education Funding Who Will Bear the Brunt of Trump's Hold on $6.8 Billion in School Funds?
The sudden absence of expected federal funds has already cost some educators their jobs.
Mark Lieberman, July 7, 2025
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12 min read
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before walking across the South Lawn of the White House to board Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., and on to Florida, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before walking across the South Lawn of the White House to board Marine One on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Trump's administration has told states it's holding back nearly $7 billion in already-approved federal funds for schools, sending states and schools scrambling for more information.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Education Funding Schools and States Scramble as Trump Freezes $6.8 Billion in Federal Funds
After-school programs, English-learner services, migrant education programs, and professional development are all at risk.
Mark Lieberman, July 1, 2025
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8 min read
Image of money symbol made of sand filtering slowly through an hour glass.
DigitalVision Vectors
Education Funding Interactive See How Much School Funding Trump Is Holding Back From Your State
The administration is holding back nearly $7 billion for English learners, after-school programs, professional development, and more.
Mark Lieberman & Laura Baker, July 1, 2025
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1 min read
063025 Trump AP BS
President Donald Trump walks to an event in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2025. On June 30, his administration informed state education departments it won't send out nearly $6.8 billion in education funding on July 1 as required by law.
Mark Shiefelbein/AP
Education Funding Trump Tells States He's Holding Back $6.8 Billion for Schools
Schools nationwide won't see funding earmarked for English learners, migrant students, professional development, and more.
Mark Lieberman, June 30, 2025
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4 min read
Image of a slow-drip funding stream coming from a faucet.
gheatza/iStock/Getty
Education Funding Trump May Soon Defy Congress and Cut $5 Billion More From Schools
Funding for migrant education, English-learner services, professional development, and after-school programming is at risk.
Mark Lieberman, June 26, 2025
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10 min read
Illustration of English and Spanish textbooks.
Chris Whetzel for Education Week<br/>
English Learners Explainer Does Speaking Two Languages Hurt Students? Experts Say No
Experts share insights on what research says about the effect of learning more than one language at once.
Ileana Najarro, May 30, 2025
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4 min read