More than 2,000 students participated last school year in English as a Second Language, an Akron Public Schools program for non-native English speakers. The curriculum employs interpreters who help implement individualized lessons in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
During the last three years, the Akron school district has successfully transitioned more than 700 students from its program based on how they performed on Ohio’s English Language Proficiency Assessments.
Students originate from or have ties to approximately 85 countries. Most exit the program within five years.
“Our district’s ESL program is funded in part through Title III federal support, which enables APS to provide vital services to students and families,” Loi Dang-Nguyen, the district’s ESL and world languages supervisor, told Signal Akron in an email.
Despite the academic success, the Akron Public Schools program was one of several initiatives at risk of losing federal funding had the Trump administration not flip-flopped on its decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in aid to U.S. public schools.
In Akron schools, the loss of $4.2 million in federal funds could have cost up to 21 full-time employees their jobs. All U.S. public schools have a legal obligation to educate non-native English learners, so federal cuts would not have eliminated English as a Second Language. But they would have redirected money from other Akron-based programs to cover the cost of interpreters, ESL programs and software.
The federal money, which was frozen for review, funds education and resources for English language learners, professional development for teachers and administrators and supplemental academic, mental health and enrichment programs.
What happened with the frozen funds?
Initially, the federal government planned to withhold about $6.8 billion in education funds. But in mid-July, officials decided to release $1.6 billion. That money funds the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program, and in Akron, it helps maintain the Akron After School program.
Prior to the release of the funds, Superintendent Mary Outley wrote to Rep. Emilia Sykes’ office to outline the local impact. Also, the district urged staff to contact lawmakers.
Outley and her staff were preparing for a full-court press to compel lawmakers to pressure the federal government to release the funds.
“The potential loss undermines APS’s efforts to provide equitable, high-quality educational opportunities for all students,” Outley wrote.
What other programs were at risk in Akron schools?
One of the major local initiatives previously threatened by the federal funding freeze was Akron After School, an intervention program intended to help K-5 students improve math and reading skills.
Last year, the initiative for at-risk youth saw marked growth in learning among students who attended, according to data shared with Signal Akron.
- Last fall, 5% of students in the program were reading and writing at grade level. By the spring, that had jumped to 38%.
- In math, 2% of students last fall performed at grade level. That rose to 27% by this spring. Also, the percentage of students needing “intensive math support” dropped from 48% to 20%.
More than 2,000 students across 28 Akron schools participated last year in the program.
