Secretary McMahon and Director Vought,

I write regarding the timely distribution of federal education investments for fiscal year 2025. Title programs authorized by Congress through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) are a critical part of how districts and charter schools across Minnesota structure and provide high-quality education to more than 870,000 students across our state. Additionally, other federal funds support learners across the state. At this writing, Minnesota has not received critical information for school districts to obligate federal funding in time for a July 1 deadline.

We deeply value our longstanding partnership with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in ensuring these investments reach the local communities we serve. For decades, federal education investments have played a key role in ensuring students learn and thrive. They provide critical resources for low-income students in both urban and rural Minnesota, career and technical education, adult basic education, and teacher training—all of which strengthen our schools, workforce, and communities. Congress directs the U.S. Department of Education to make these investments available to states on a predictable schedule so that local leaders who know their communities best can plan effectively for the school year ahead.

States have historically received preliminary award information in the spring to enable planning, budgeting, and application submission in advance of July 1, when, pursuant to congressional action, the funds become available for obligation. (1) Minnesota has consistently used these preliminary award estimates to guide districts in submitting applications by June 30 so that, once Grant Award Notifications are issued in early July, programming can begin without delay.

As of June 26, 2025, MDE has not received preliminary award estimates for the following programs:

• Title I-C: These investments ensure children of mobile farm workers and fishing families have access to consistent, rigorous academic coursework and graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent, preparing them for responsible citizenship and productive employment.
• Title II-A: These investments support the recruitment, retention, and professional development of effective educators in public and nonpublic schools, reducing class sizes and improving academic achievement for all students.
• Title IV-B: These investments provide academic enrichment opportunities outside of school hours for students who attend low-performing schools. 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants are awarded competitively to eligible entities including public schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and other youth-serving organizations.
• Title III-A: These investments support English language proficiency, ensuring all learners meet state academic standards.
• WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Title II: These investments support instruction for adults to improve their reading, writing, math, and English language skills in order to support their career advancement and other goals. (2)
• WIOA Title II: These investments support English language learners in improving their English skills and learning about civic participation and the responsibilities of citizenship, along with workforce training components.

While the most recent state tables posted on ED’s website (3) include updated figures, these programs are notably absent. Without this information, and with July 1 approaching, it is not possible for schools, districts, and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to complete the steps needed to begin obligating these funds as scheduled.

The formulas and appropriations for these programs were outlined by Congress in Public Law 119-4 (4), a continuing resolution that funds fiscal year 2025 activities under the conditions set forth in fiscal year 2024 appropriations. This law authorizes these funds to be available on July 1, 2025. In previous years, ED has provided award information in advance to ensure these statutory timelines can be met.

The current delay is creating unnecessary uncertainty. Schools, charter schools, community-based organizations, and participating nonpublic schools are now being forced to make decisions about staffing, programming, and services without knowing whether the funds Congress appropriated will be made available on time. This uncertainty risks disrupting essential programs and undermines the supports our students and schools rely on every day.

MDE respectfully requests clarification on the timeline, expected release, and notice of award for the programs listed above. Minnesota’s schools are preparing to welcome students for a new academic year, and they need certainty to do so effectively and responsibly.

We appreciate ED’s continued partnership and look forward to your timely response by June 30, 2025.

Sincerely, 

Willie L. Jett II

Commissioner

CC:
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Tina Smith
Representative Brad Finstad
Representative Angie Craig
Representative Kelly Morrison
Representative Betty McCollum
Representative Ilhan Omar
Representative Tom Emmer
Representative Michelle Fischbach
Representative Pete Stauber

1. See, e.g. Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. 118-47, March 23, 2024, 138 Stat 460 at 684 (appropriating for Title III-A: "for carrying out part A of title III of the ESEA, $890,000,000, which shall become available on July 1, 2024, and shall remain available through September 30, 2025") (emphasis added); 2024 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, Pub. L. 119-4, March 15, 2025, 139 Stat 9, at 10 (appropriating for fiscal year 2025 "[s]uch amounts as may be necessary, at the level specified in subsection (c) and under the authority and conditions provided in applicable appropriations Acts for fiscal year 2024"); see also, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. 113-128, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat 1425.

2. MDE received a preliminary award estimate for Adult Basic Education for fiscal year 2025, but now sees there is no amount for federal fiscal year 2025 listed on the updated state tables on the ED website.

3. Available at Fiscal Year 2024-FY 2026 President's Budget State Tables for the U.S. Department of Education | U.S. Department of Education.

4. 2024 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, Pub. L. 119-4, March 15, 2025, 139 Stat 9 (“[s]uch amounts as may be necessary, at the level specified in subsection (c) and under the authority and conditions provided in applicable appropriations Acts for fiscal year 2024, for projects or activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees) that are not otherwise specifically provided for, and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in . . . [t]he Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (division D of Public Law 118–47).”)