The Department of Education announced Friday it would release billions of dollars in education grant funding to states. This includes hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for adult education programs nationwide.
The grant funding is usually released on July 1, but this year the Trump administration announced it was delaying the funds pending review.
“We are relieved that the federal funding, which has been on hold, has finally been released,” said Sharon Bonney, CEO of the national advocacy organization Coalition on Adult Basic Education. “This will enable local programs to continue serving adult learners that are in need of services.”
The move came after both Democratic and Republican Senators publicly called on the Department of Education and the White House Office of Management and Budget to release the funds.
In Texas, federal funding pays for the vast majority of adult education programs. During the last grant cycle, which ended on June 30, Texas received about $62.5 million from the Department of Education for adult education.
The Texas Workforce Commission distributes this money to grant recipients like community colleges, school districts and nonprofits. The funds pay for GED classes, workforce training and English language instruction.
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Before the announcement Friday that adult education funding would flow to states, providers were starting to make hard decisions. Some laid off staff or paused programs.
Whitney Patterson, executive director of adult ed provider PAVE East Texas, said members of PAVE’s consortium were days away from layoffs and program closures. Several programs had already cut staff.
“To say that [adult education] providers like ours are relieved to hear that this already appropriated funding is being released is a huge understatement,” Patterson said. “These programs are interwoven in our communities, partnering with community colleges, employers, schools, churches and libraries to help adults achieve their educational and career goals.”
PAVE East Texas is part of a consortium that covers 14 counties. Last year, the consortium received about $2.2 million from the Texas Workforce Commission, and 88% of that money comes from the federal government.
“We are cautiously optimistic but still feeling some uncertainty until we receive official notification of the grant award,” Patterson said.
