BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Education has released more than $100 million in previously withheld funding to Maryland, following a lawsuit (PDF) filed by a coalition of state attorneys general, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced on Friday.
The funding was frozen by the Trump administration on June 30, just weeks before the start of the school year. Maryland was set to lose an estimated $110 million, impacting a wide range of educational programs and services.
“This is a major victory for Maryland students, parents, and teachers,” Brown said in a statement. “The release of these funds ensures that vital educational services, including summer learning programs and assistance for students with special needs, can continue.”
The frozen funds were designated for six long-standing programs that support various educational initiatives, including programs for migrant children and English learners, technology in the classroom, and community learning centers.
On July 14, Brown joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two states in a lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction. The lawsuit argued that the freeze violated federal funding statutes, regulations, and the constitutional separation of powers.
The Department of Education’s decision to release the funds restores hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide for summer school, afterschool programs, adult education classes, and other essential services.
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