Statement on Rescission of Schools as Protected Areas and the Federal Funding Freeze

The recent activity from the new U.S. administration presents serious challenges for educators in serving and supporting multilingual learners of English (MLEs) – challenges that dramatically impact classrooms and communities.  

The administration’s rescission of schools as sensitive and protected spaces and its directive to pause federal assistance are just two of those actions with far-reaching consequences. The first threatens the fundamental human right to public education, as codified through the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe1. The second threatens critical services and support for millions of MLEs and for educators and professionals throughout public, adult, and higher education. The U.S. federal government plays a crucial role in funding district and state educational agencies, along with vital international educational programs, and any pause to that assistance immediately and directly impacts students. 

While memo M-25-14 from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget has rescinded the earlier memo regarding the freeze on federal funding, the administration remains resolute and has communicated that the “executive orders on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented” (see Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s statement here; see full list of executive orders here). 

TESOL International Association recognizes these challenges and their effects on the hundreds of thousands of educators and administrators, community providers, and students and their families, as well as their effects on the economy. 

Guided by its mission, values, and commitment to advocacy, TESOL provides educators with resources and opportunities for engagement through its Support the English Language Teaching (ELT) Profession and Multilingual Learners of English Under the Current U.S. Administration hub. This portal outlines TESOL priorities and showcases resources and actions for the greater ELT community. TESOL asks those in the ELT field to raise their voice, demonstrating the importance and value of their work and the communities they serve, and the importance of maintaining our classrooms as protected areas. Two ways of participation are available now through direct messages to members of Congress and registration for the TESOL Advocacy Action Days. 

TESOL commits to its members and communities to stand alongside them in support of the ELT profession and the learners served. TESOL will continue to monitor and update our members and the public on legislation and policies at the state and federal level and will remain resolute in its advocacy for the rights of all MLEs, leading with the values of professionalism, respect, integrity, and lifelong learning for the ELT field.