Education leaders are calling on the U.S. Department of Education to immediately release more than $2 billion in Title II funding that school districts across the country are depending on for professional learning, teacher recruitment, leadership support, and educator effectiveness initiatives.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, a coalition of 31 prominent public education and advocacy organizations—including Learning Forward—pressed the department to swiftly allocate the $2.19 billion authorized for Title II, Part A (Title II-A) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for fiscal year 2025. The funding was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump as part of the FY25 Continuing Resolution on March 15.

When President Trump signed the resolution, thousands of school districts were finally able to finalize their budgets for the 2025-26 school year, with the understanding that Title II-A funding would remain level. Any reductions or changes to those allocations at this point would have a devastating impact on students, educators, and communities nationwide.

In many states, districts are legally mandated to provide professional development or induction programs. Without Title II-A funds allocated as Congress intended, districts would be forced to cut essential student services to remain compliant—leading to impossible budget decisions, potential staff layoffs, and the loss of critical educator support systems.

The coalition is also urging the administration to follow the funding allocation formula specified in the FY 2024 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, citing Congressional intent and the immediate financial needs of school systems.

The letter highlights the persistent inequities that Title II helps address:

“Decades of research show that students in high-poverty schools are more likely to be taught by inexperienced teachers. Title II-A – Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants – helps close these gaps by increasing students’ access to highly qualified, effective educators.”

The program provides vital resources for school districts to strengthen and support their workforce:

“Title II-A provides essential resources to help current teachers build their skills and expertise through high-quality professional development, while also funding induction and mentoring programs that support new educators and help retain them in the profession. Additionally, districts can leverage these funds to meet their local needs—like reducing class sizes, providing additional certifications for teachers to expand offerings for students, or building a principal and school leader pipeline.”

An article in Politico about this letter included a comment from the education department: “The Department is currently finalizing its fiscal year 2025 spending plan, which it will submit to Congress by the April 29 deadline.”