On February 3, 2026, Congress approved—and President Trump signed—a FY 2026 education budget that keeps funding for major K–12 programs.

Key Programs Affecting English Learners:

Title I (Low-Income Students):
Funding will remain level with the prior year. This is important for English Learners (ELs), many of whom are served through Title I due to concentrated poverty in their districts. Click here for supplemental programs.

Title III (English Learners):
No cuts; level funding maintained. Congress rejected the administration’s proposal to significantly reduce or eliminate Title III. States and districts can expect similar allocations as last year.

Migrant Education Program (MEP):
Funding is also held steady year over year, ensuring continued support for migratory children, many of whom are English Learners.

Key details of the approved education funding include:

Early Childhood: $12.357 billion for Head Start (+$85 million) and $8.831 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (+$85 million).

K-12 and Special Education: The bill maintains level funding for most existing programs, with a $20 million increase for special education and $5 million more for rural education.

Support Services: Funding was sustained for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Promise Neighborhoods, and Preschool Development Grants.

Stability: The legislation prevents cuts to critical resources for vulnerable students, including mental health support and high-poverty district funding.

The package provides full-year funding, ensuring that while some government areas face further negotiations, the Department of Education’s budget for 2026 is finalized.