Funding English Learner Education: Making the Most of Policy and Budget Levers

In the United States, funding for K-12 education is complex; it includes federal, state and local funding sources. Funding an equitable, high-quality education for English learners (ELs) is also complex. Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is an important funding source for ELs' education; however, there are many other funding sources. This brief provides an overview of the policies and budget mechanisms of federal, state, and local funding sources that are available to support the education of ELs. It describes how these policies and budget mechanisms work, and why they are relevant to EL education. The author explores the administrative rules for how these funds are used and distributed, and what stakeholders within and outside a school system need to know to be empowered to participate in the budgeting process?