Federal Department of Education Programs and Funding
The U.S. Department of Education plays an important role in ensuring the equitable education of marginalized populations, with funding to support schools in educating students living in low-income communities, children experiencing homelessness, children living in foster care, and children with disabilities. The funding associated with these programs, which are reauthorized every five years by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), are passed to schools by formula through state education agencies. States can also apply for waivers from some ESEA requirements.
Additionally, the 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe established that denying undocumented children access to free public K-12 education violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
In Massachusetts
Massachusetts receives approximately $1.272 billion in federal education dollars across Title I, school nutrition, and special education funding.
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary Education and Secondary Education (DESE) Federal Grant Programs
- Federal funding for low-income students (Title I-A) funding by Massachusetts school district (DESE)
- Education Stability for Students in Foster Care (DESE)
DESE has issued recent guidance and special advisories upholding protection for targeted populations:
- Upholding the Rights of Immigrant Students to Enroll in School (12/20/24)
- Supporting All Students, Including LGBTQ Students (2/11/2025)
- Guidance Regarding K-12 Schools' Obligation to Protect Students and Their Information (1/24/25)
Head Start
For more than 50 years, Head Start has provided high-quality early education and comprehensive services to vulnerable children and families. Head Start and Early Head Start serve pregnant women and children birth to age 5 from low-income families. Programs provide early education and comprehensive services, including health, mental health, nutrition, services for children with disabilities, and family services.
Learn more about Head Start programs in Massachusetts
Recent federal budget negotiations have threatened to eliminate funding for Head Start.
- Take Action by contacting your Congressional representatives and asking them to preserve funding for Head Start.
- Parent Advocacy Groups and a Coalition of Head Start Providers File Lawsuit to Stop Trump Administration’s Dismantling of Head Start (4/28/2025; ACLU)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Special Education Entitlement Grant provides funds to ensure that eligible students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs in the least restrictive environment. This funding has been critical over the years in deinstitutionalizing special education and supporting students with special needs to be successful in their local school.
Federal IDEA funding by Massachusetts school district (DESE)
Additional Resources
- Take Action: Tell Congress to Vote No on Massive Cuts to Financial Aid - Pell Grants (Institute for College Action and Success)
- Legal Center for Foster Care & Education
- Federal Education Funding Data Dashboard (University of Michigan)
- Understanding Plyler v. Doe (National Immigration Law Center)
- ESEA Waivers 101 (All4Ed)