English Learner Funding

Both the state and federal governments allocate funding to fulfill the obligations of educating English learners as mandated in Ohio and federal law. For more information on creating, enhancing, and sustaining English learner programs, visit the Administrator’s Resource Kit within the Advancing Ohio’s English Learners website.  

State Funding 

Districts and schools receive state funding to meet the educational needs of English learners. Funding amounts are based on the English Learner Status Element  reported in the Education Management Information System for each English learner. State law requires that schools use English learner state funds exclusively for English learner services. 

Additionally, districts and schools receive Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid and Student Wellness and Success Funds to fund initiatives that provide wraparound services for students, including current and former English learners and newcomers.   

Districts and schools can view English learner, Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid, and Student Wellness and Success Funds funding amounts on the School Payment Reports website.  

Federal Funding 

Schools and districts may also receive federal funding to support students, including English learners. Funding opportunities may include: 

  • Title III, Part A funds, which provide supplemental funding for language-instruction educational programs and supports for English learner students and immigrant students. There are two allowable activities under Title III: 
    • ​Title III English Learner: These funds are required to be used for English learner supplemental language instruction, professional development, and family engagement. School districts and community schools with Title III English learner allocations of less than $10,000 must join or form a consortium to participate in the Title III grant program. 
    • Title III Immigrant: Funds for a range of activities to support immigrant students including but not limited to family engagement activities, recruitment of personnel, mentoring and counseling, curriculum updates, instruction supports, and community engagement. Any local education agency (LEA) that has shown a significant increase in enrollment and meets the minimum number of immigrant students required by the state of Ohio may receive Title III Immigrant funds. Funding is based on the number of students identified through the Immigrant Status Element. 

  • Title I, Part C funds, which are awarded to two districts and four educational service centers, including the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, which operates the Ohio Migrant Education Center in Fremont, Ohio. The Center is responsible for the identification of all migrant children who enter the state and is the only entity authorized to make the final eligibility determination for the Title I-C Migrant Education Program. 

  •  Title I, Part A funds, which are used to provide all children “significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.” An example of one of the responsibilities of these funds is notifying parents about issues such as teacher qualifications, assessments, and identification of students as English learners. 

Districts and schools can view federal funding amounts on the Federal Programs Allocations and Operations webpage. For specific questions, contact your Federal Programs Consultant.

Related Resources   

Last Modified: 2/24/2025 8:02:42 AM