As the organizations representing Colorado’s public school educators, administrators, school boards, and rural districts express concern over the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to withhold nearly $71 million in federal funding from Colorado’s public schools. This funding was previously appropriated by Congress and is considered essential for supporting students and educators across the state.
The programs affected by this decision include Migrant Education (Title I-C), Supporting Effective Instruction (Title II-A), English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), and Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IV-A&B). These initiatives are designed to assist migratory children, support professional learning, aid English learners, and enhance access to a well-rounded education.
Stakeholders emphasize that these programs serve students who are most in need, including migrant youth, English learners, and those in rural and low-income communities. They also highlight that expected cuts to Medicaid funding from Congress’s “Big Beautiful Bill” could further destabilize schools by removing critical health services that many students depend on.
The statement underscores the burden placed on Colorado school districts due to the absence of these resources. With budgets already planned for the coming school year, districts may face difficult decisions regarding scaling back or eliminating essential services.
Education stakeholders urge the U.S. Department of Education to release these funds immediately and provide clear guidance to state and local education systems. They assert that federal education dollars are crucial for delivering free, high-quality public education to every student.
Colorado’s education community remains committed to protecting students from decisions that could undermine their opportunities. The statement concludes with a call for immediate action from the Department of Education.
Kevin Vick of the Colorado Education Association, Melissa Gibson of the Colorado Association of School Executives, Jubal C. Yennie of the Colorado Association of School Boards, and Denille Leplatt of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance signed the joint statement.
