Latest news with #Miami-DadeCountyPublicSchools
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami to offer free citizenship classes for immigrants after feds cut funding
Miami residents will have access to free citizenship classes again after the federal government cut funding for a program that's helped thousands of immigrants prepare for their naturalization exams. On Monday, Miami District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado announced that his office would allocate up to $10,000 to subsidize Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Fast Track to Citizenship courses, offered through the school district's adult education program. Earlier this month, the Miami Herald reported that Miami-Dade County Public Schools would stop offering the courses after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security determined the program 'no longer effectuates the program goals and the Department's priorities,' making it so that all federally funded work under the grant 'will be unallowable.' READ MORE: Miami-Dade school district ends citizenship classes for immigrants after federal cuts 'This is much more than just about funding a program,' Rosado said at a press conference Monday. 'It's about living our values as Americans and as Miamians. It's about living the values of opportunity and the belief that Miami's variety is our strength.' The course, which supports lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship, includes help with the 20-page naturalization application and preparation for the exam. Citizenship preparation courses have been taught through Miami-Dade schools in some form since at least the 1970s. The Fast Track to Citizenship courses were previously funded by the state before they were funded by the federal government. Rosado said his office would allocate up to $10,000, based on an estimate that approximately 150 people apply per year for a course that costs up to $65. He said that should be enough to keep the program running for another year. Rosado said his office has been in contact with the school district about his initiative. For now, the funding will only be available for residents in the city of Miami, where about 58% of residents are foreign born and more than 70% are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rosado said it will go into effect in the fall, when the current grant is set to run out, but that he would work to make the funding available sooner if there's a shortfall. Rosado's announcement landed weeks after the city voted to enter an immigration enforcement agreement with ICE, deputizing Miami police officers with immigration enforcement powers. The commission voted 3-2 to enter into what's called a 287(g) agreement; Rosado was one of the three who voted in favor. Mayor Francis Suarez said the citizenship program has 'a clear track record of providing an important service to our community' but that it 'became a victim of funding cuts to Miami-Dade County public schools.' 'This financial investment will guarantee that those who are already on a pathway to citizenship will not face any obstacles in achieving that dream,' Suarez said. To apply for the program, Rosado said Miami residents can call (305) 558-8000 or go to In March, when the federal government announced it was ending funding for the Fast Track to Citizenship classes through Miami-Dade County Public Schools' adult education program, four locations continued to offer separate citizenship classes through the district's continuing education program. The school district told the Herald those citizenship courses will continue. But the courses are fee-based and can be expensive depending on the number of students who enroll. Students split the cost of teachers' salaries and materials based on the number of students. When the Herald first reported that the district was offering fee-based courses, there was no information on its website or social media, and the district said interested students had to show up in person at the locations to express interest and enroll.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Federal education funding to be released, offering relief to Florida schools
Close to $400 million in federal grants promised to Florida school districts will be released by the Trump administration, according to reports. As of yesterday, the $35 million in funds promised to Miami-Dade County Public Schools remained frozen. Earlier this month, the figure was $10 million higher, but some funds were released for after-school programs. In Broward, at least $30 million in funds were promised to the school district and then frozen. Nationwide, more than $5 billion in public school funding had been placed on hold. The freeze began June 30, just one day before the grants were expected to arrive. The White House Office of Management and Budget has been reviewing the funds to determine whether they were being used to support a 'radical leftwing agenda.' 'It is incredible, encouraging news that we do not have to hold back on certain areas,' said Miami-Dade Superintendent Jose L. Dotres. 'It will allow us to continue improving the trajectory of the school district and the services we provide to our community.' Dotres had been lobbying lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to release the funding for the past few weeks, and had already started making cuts for the upcoming year, such as cutting purchases on textbook, supplies, and delaying certain teacher training programs. Now, the district will be able to proceed as usual. In Miami-Dade, the grants fund programs such as English language learning, science and technology innovation, teacher training, migrant education and adult education. John J. Sullivan, chief communications officer for Broward schools, said he is grateful the funds will soon be released. 'These critical resources allow us to continue providing essential services and supports for our students, families, and schools,' said Sullivan. Ron Steiger, the Miami-Dade school district's chief financial officer, said he received multiple texts with links to news articles announcing the release of funds. Though he has not yet received formal notice from the U.S. Department of Education, he said he was relieved. 'Nothing actually ended up harming anything,' he said, adding that he believed this outcome was the most likely all along. Two lawsuits related to the funding freeze are still active. One, brought by 24 states and the District of Columbia, asked a federal judge in Rhode Island to order the release of the funds. Florida was not a party to that suit. A second case was filed by a coalition of organizations—including the Florida Parent Teacher Association and P.S. 305, a Miami education advocacy group—in the same court. On Wednesday, a judge agreed to consider the two cases together. A hearing for emergency relief is scheduled for Aug. 13. Despite the administration's announcement, Florida PTA President-elect Jude Bruno said the legal challenge remains necessary. 'The harm still exists until school districts actually receive the funds or, at the very least, are issued award and grant issuance letters with clear timelines for when to expect them,' Bruno said in a text message to the Miami Herald. Mina Hosseini, executive director of P.S. 305 agreed that this is not the end of what she says is a school 'system chronically starved of resources.' 'The future of public education cannot be left vulnerable to political whims—it must be protected by the people,' she told the Miami Herald. An administrative assistant for Mari Tere Rojas, the chair of the Miami-Dade school board, said in a statement, 'These programs, which enjoy bipartisan support, are vital for the operation and functioning of our local public schools for this upcoming school year.' Ray Hart, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of school districts, said in a statement that he is 'relieved' the Education Department has released the remainder of the funds authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 'for the benefit of schoolchildren throughout our nation.' School board member Steve Gallon also welcomed the news—but issued a warning. He expressed frustration that some elected leaders had remained silent 'in the face of what could potentially devastate the learning and lives of children and families… Seemingly shackled by fear and partisanship,' he said in a text message. 'I am concerned that this is not the end,' he added.
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade schools superintendent presses lawmakers for $35M in frozen funds
The superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools has four weeks to figure out what to do about a $35 million shortfall in the district's budget due to federal grants that are frozen by the Trump administration. Superintendent Jose Dotres told board members at a school board committee meeting Wednesday that he plans to increase his visibility and advocacy — both in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. — to ensure Miami-Dade gets what it's due. He also noted that he has cut some expenses going into the school year in response to the funding freeze. 'We are headed into a different footprint of advocacy,' Dotres told board members during the meeting. 'I see myself now more involved as it relates to federal funding, being able to educate, articulate and inform senators at the federal level in terms of how these funds are used and what the implications are if they were to be reduced,' said Dotres. Dotres just returned from a trip to D.C., where he met with Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) to discuss funding for his district. He told the Miami Herald in an interview that he tried to convey to the senator how the funds are used to create innovative magnet programs and other specialized programs in the district, which make public schools 'competitive' in a landscape of 'school choice.' Wednesday's school board committee meeting was an urgent conversation about how the district will prepare for the possibility the federal government may not release the frozen funds which include grants for migrant education, teacher training, help for English language learners, and academic supports for science, technology and more. 'Those dollars, we use them to innovate, provide robotics programs, advanced career technical education courses, and cybersecurity,' said Dotres in an interview with the Miami Herald. Specific programs funded by the grants currently frozen include after-school tutoring by certified teachers, bilingual instruction, technology access, swim safety lessons, and training for new teachers. More than 70 percent of new teachers require additional education, according to the superintendent. Pray for the best, but be ready for the worst School board member Luisa Santos said that the federal funding cuts will reverberate throughout the district. 'Just between Title III and Title IV, a large portion would feel the effect of these dollars not being there,' she said. There are over 83,000 students learning English in the district. Read more: Miami-Dade schools to lose millions after federal grant cancellations During Wednesday's committee meeting, board members pressed Dotres for details on planning for the worst-case scenario. 'We pray for the best, but we have to be mindful of what potential Armageddon could come,' said board member Steve Gallon. The state of Florida has advised the school district to proceed as normal, and the chief financial officer said he is operating under the assumption that the funds will be released. Santos asked how the district is preparing if the money remains frozen or is redirected to states as block grants, which would give Florida discretion over how (or whether) to target the same areas the grants were meant to fund. Ahead of the start of school on August 14, the superintendent said he has already gone through the budget line by line to find expenditures he can reduce, such as holding off on purchasing textbooks and other school supplies, pausing travel funds for teachers to attend conferences and pausing spending on anything not related to a 'direct service,' like teacher salaries. 'We have been doing a reduction,' said Dotres, noting that open positions are currently not being filled. Teacher training programs will also be delayed until the funding is sorted. 'We are holding some professional development at the earliest stages and holding it for later on in the school year,' said Dotres. Dotres said he would find alternative sources to fund salaries of the migrant education program, but that other spending like supplies for the program are paused for the time being. Santos asked if the district has looked at how other large school systems are preparing and whether additional legal or policy steps could help Miami-Dade. Walter Harvey, the general counsel for the district, noted that 24 states and Washington, D.C., have filed a federal lawsuit demanding the release of these funds. Florida is not a party to the suit, and thus may not receive payouts if the lawsuit is settled. School board member Roberto Alonso and Dotres said that instead of legal battles, it is a better strategy to continue advocating for the district with lawmakers. 'I advocate for our school district at the source,' Dotres told the Herald when asked about the lawsuit. Gallon noted that many of the federal grants that are currently frozen were established on the heels of important lawsuits. The Title III program, for example, which allows students learning English to get extra help, was built upon a 1974 civil rights case that declared that schools have a legal duty to provide instruction and help to non-English learners. But Florida has chosen not to be a part of that legal precedent when it comes to the release of federal funds to the states. Instead, the district is talking to elected officials, trimming the budget where they can and hoping for the best. 'We are awaiting the review, and we are hopeful that the funds will be there,' said Dotres. Federal grants to Miami-Dade currently on hold Title I, Part C – Migrant Education: $1,376,878 Title II, Part A –Teacher training: $14,141,336 Title III, Part A – Help for English language learners: $10,622,058 Title IV, Part A – Academic supports (Robotics, STEAM, Technology): $9,820,392 Total: $35,960,664 Funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, programs for at-risk students and their families, has now been released.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade schools ends citizenship classes for immigrants after federal cuts
Miami-Dade County Public Schools will no longer offer citizenship courses that have helped thousands of immigrants prepare for the naturalization exam and learn about American history and culture. The courses, called Fast Track to Citizenship, previously available through the district's Adult Education program, supported lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. They included help with the 20-page naturalization application and preparation for the exam. Initially free, the program later charged a $43 fee per trimester. The district's 2025 curriculum still lists Fast Track to Citizenship as an available offering at eight locations, including The English Center, adult education centers in Miami Beach and Hialeah, and Miami Coral Park's Adult and Continuing Education Centers. But now, when someone calls to ask about enrolling, the operator says, 'Unfortunately, we don't have citizenship classes anymore. They cut the funding.' An internal email shared with the Miami Herald revealed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security determined the program 'no longer effectuates the program goals and the Department's priorities.' As a result, all federally funded work under the grant 'will be unallowable.' Despite the federal cutbacks, district officials gave mixed signals about whether some kind of citizenship class would be offered. A spokesperson confirmed the citizenship classes through the adult technical colleges had been canceled for the fall but said they may offer classes at some schools 'if there was enough interest.' But so far, no information about a replacement course or how much it would cost is listed on the district's website. They also noted that in recent years, enrollment numbers had been low. Citizenship preparation courses have been taught through Miami-Dade schools in some form since at least the 1970s. Citizenship as a lifeline for new arrivals For many, the school district's citizenship courses were life-changing. Liena Perdomo immigrated from Cuba at 18 and enrolled in English reading and writing courses and a citizenship class at The English Center, a district-run adult education site founded in the 1960s to serve South Florida's refugee population. Perdomo, now 41, holds an engineering degree from Florida International University and runs a public adjuster firm. She credits her early education at The English Center for shaping her path. 'People like me, we don't know anything about this country when we come here — it teaches us a lot,' she said. 'Every class that I took in that little school pushed me to where I have been able to get in the end.' 'I would say if they don't have that class anymore, it's really like a big loss.' For more than a decade, Miami-Dade County Public Schools partnered with Catholic Legal Services, under the Archdiocese of Miami, to help students in the citizenship courses prepare their applications. Students would either visit Catholic Legal Services' offices or receive help directly in the classroom. Randy McGrorty, who has led Catholic Legal Services since its founding in 1998, said the collaboration combined legal support with accessible education. 'I am absolutely convinced individuals prepping for citizenship know more about civics than many U.S. citizens,' he said. McGrorty estimates that at least half a million lawful permanent residents nationwide are eligible for citizenship but haven't applied due to fear of the exam. The process — including the length and complexity of the application — can be daunting. These courses helped students feel prepared. 'If you take that class, you pass,' said Gemma Santos, a former teacher of the course. McGrorty noted that under President George W. Bush, the Department of Homeland Security saw naturalization support as part of its mission. 'It is my hope that we will again re-prioritize people's naturalization,' he said. Studies show, he added, that naturalized citizens tend to earn more and pay more in taxes — a net gain for the country. 'A betrayal' Carlos Manrique, who directed the district's adult and workforce education program for 26 years and served as a Republican legislator on the state education committee, said the courses were largely funded by federal dollars, with occasional support from English as a Second Language grants. He called the cancellation 'a betrayal.' 'These students are legal. Their kids are legal. They are getting blamed. I think it's completely disrespectful at any level,' he said. Rene Mantilla, who currently oversees adult and technical education programs for the district, declined to comment. Other administrators also declined or did not respond. Santos, a retired citizenship instructor who still substitutes at The English Center, said the course covered far more than test prep — it taught about U.S. history, national holidays, basic geography and how to participate in civic life by volunteering or writing letters to the editor. But the support for immigrants, she said, is now vanishing. 'If you don't know how to swim, we will not give you a life vest — just drown, sorry,' she said.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade schools score an ‘A' rating, and that's no accident. Here's how
In a time when public education across the nation is under intense scrutiny, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has once again demonstrated what is possible through vision, resilience and community commitment. The third-largest school district in the United States, with over 335,000 students, has once again earned its status as an 'A'-rated district for the sixth consecutive year — an achievement that speaks volumes about the determination of our educators, students, parents and families. The continuous support of the Miami-Dade School Board has been instrumental in guiding and uplifting the district. This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment and hard work of our entire educational community — from our superintendent of schools, Jose L. Dotres, to our passionate teachers and dedicated administrators, and including our district and regional staff. It also honors the collective efforts of our entire workforce, the steadfast support of our parents and the strong partnerships we share with the broader community, including local and state leaders. This united commitment to excellence has made our continued success possible. This 'A' rating is not merely a letter on paper. It is the result of strategic planning, innovative thinking and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It represents more than test scores. It reflects growth, improvement and a determined effort to close achievement gaps. It shows a community that refuses to let circumstance define its future. It is a testament to teachers who go above and beyond, to students who overcome challenges inside and outside the classroom and to administrators who maintain high standards despite growing demands. M-DCPS serves a richly diverse student population, including a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, English language learners and students with special and unique abilities. That we continue to lead among the nation's largest districts should be a point of local pride and a national case study. From expanding school choice and dual enrollment programs to implementing mental health initiatives and career readiness pathways, to reaching one of the highest graduation rates in our history, the district remains laser-focused on student outcomes that truly matter. This outstanding achievement belongs to our students. It is a reflection of their dedication, enthusiasm to learn and limitless potential. Our students are the heartbeat of tomorrow's progress. With the knowledge, skills and values they develop today, they are prepared to lead with integrity, innovation and empathy. Whether in science, education, public service, business or the arts, they will rise to meet the challenges of their time — driving change, fostering unity and serving our nation with purpose and pride. As we celebrate this milestone, we must also ask: What's next? Continued investment in teacher recruitment and development, digital access and a future-focused curriculum must remain our priorities. The 'A' rating is not the destination. It's a mile marker on the journey toward greater educational excellence and innovation. This is a commitment to unite for the benefit of every student — because when we work as a team, we turn dreams into reality. Teamwork makes the dream work. M-DCPS has once again proven that urban public education can not only survive — it can thrive. Now let's make sure this success lifts all boats — for every student, in every classroom, and across every ZIP code. Mari Tere Rojas is the chair of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board.
