Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Ohio Students Deserve the Federal Support They Were Promised
The U.S. Department of Education is withholding nearly $185 million in federal education funds that were already allocated by Congress to support Ohio’s public schools. These funds are essential for ensuring access to quality education for children from low-income families, migrant farmworker households, and students learning English.
The funding in question includes Title I for migrant education, Title II for teacher development, Title III for English learners, and Title IV for student support, afterschool programs, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. These programs provide fully trained educators and enrichment opportunities that many families simply cannot afford on their own.
Renee Murphy, Managing Attorney at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), explains, “This is another move that takes from children in poverty to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. It takes their after-school learning experiences that their families cannot provide and their fully-trained teachers. It is a targeted attack on equal educational opportunity for children who are in migrant farmworker households and English Learners.”
This is more than a funding delay. With $185 million at risk (the equivalent of 2,711 teacher salaries), Ohio schools are being forced to operate without the resources they need to give children equal opportunities.
What you can do:
- Sign the letter urging the U.S. Department of Education to release the Title funds without further delay.
- Contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to push for immediate action.
Ohio students cannot afford to be shortchanged. Join ABLE and our partners in Honesty for Ohio Education in demanding that our schools receive the support they were promised.