TESOL Elevates English Learners and Educators in U.S. Federal Policy

The U.S. Federal Government provides significant funding that supports the English language teaching (ELT) profession and multilingual learners of English (MLEs). The U.S. president has proposed a budget for fiscal year 2026 that eliminates this funding and, more urgently, the funding for fiscal year 2025 has yet to be released.

The U.S. Department of Education has, as of this publication, not allocated the Congressionally appropriated funding for fiscal year 2025 for several programs, including the funds for English language acquisition (ELA) PreK-12 Public Education and for the Integrated English Language and Civics Education (IELCE) of adult education—funds which are needed for the states' fiscal years that begin 1 July 2025.

TESOL International Association has led efforts with members, peer organizations, and fellow advocates in elevating the English language teaching (ELT) profession and multilingual learners of English (MLEs) in U.S. federal policy and appropriations. TESOL and over 20 other organizations submitted a letter to Congress requesting immediate action in demanding that the U.S. Department of Education allocate these funds immediately.

We ask that you join these efforts and elevate the ELT profession and the MLEs we serve by urging your member of Congress to hold the U.S. Department of Education accountable and release fiscal year 2025 appropriated funds immediately. If your program or local education agency, or even state budgets, are impacted by the delay, please share that with your member. See these charts for information on funding impacts by state for ELA PreK-12 and IELCE adult education.