Title III Funds Are Back—But Next Year Isn’t Promised. Here’s How to Spend Strategically.

Title funds have officially been released—but this year feels different.

Last month’s uncertainty reminded all of us just how fragile supplemental funding can be. For many districts, it raised a critical question:

What happens to our English learner programs if Title funds disappear next year?

The smart move? Use this year’s funds not as a crutch—but as a springboard. Below are five proactive, sustainable ways to spend your funds now so your program remains strong later.

1. Standardize Your Newcomer Onboarding Process

Every newcomer deserves a thoughtful welcome—but too often, onboarding varies wildly from school to school.

This year, fund the creation of a districtwide newcomer protocol, including translated intake forms, welcome packets, parent orientations, and academic baselines.

Example guide: Internationals Network Newcomer Toolkit

Quick-start template: AIR Language – Newcomer Onboarding Program Setup

2. Use Title Funds to Invest in General Education Training

2. Invest in General Education Training

The majority of multilingual learners spend most of their school day with content teachers—not ESL specialists. So your funding strategy should include building the capacity of all staff.

Focus on PD that covers:

• Making input comprehensible

• Scaffolding academic language

• Culturally responsive teaching

  
  

Strategy overview: Colorín Colorado – Content Instruction for ELLs

Additional resource: Standford University Supporting ELLs in Mathematics

3. Create Self-Directed Learning Structures for ELs

Even with fewer staff next year, students can thrive if they’re taught how to manage their own growth.

Use this year’s funding to implement systems like:

• Weekly reading conferences

• Student reflection logs

• Personalized goal-setting and feedback

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Free resource: AIR Language – Reading Conferences Toolkit

Research base: What Works Clearinghouse – Adolescent Literacy

4. Adopt Tech That Saves Time and Captures Data

When staff capacity shrinks, your tools matter more. Invest now in tech that automates formative data collection and makes student progress visible in real time.

Look for platforms that combine:

Leveled input (reading/listening)

Student output (speaking/writing) Progress tracking

Recommended read:

Digital Promise – Supporting ELs with Edtech

One option: AIR Language offers all three through an AI-driven platform.

5. Simplify Compliance Before It Becomes a Crisis

Use this year to clean up your internal documentation. Templates, logs, meeting notes, accommodations, and parent outreach materials should all be centralized and easily shareable.

Free tool: SupportEd – EL Compliance Checklist

Blog resource: AIR – 8 Hacks to Make Compliance Easier

Title III funding may have returned—but its future is not guaranteed.

Let this year be the one where your EL program becomes more resilient, more sustainable, and more student-centered than ever before. The funds are here now. Let’s use them to prepare for whatever comes next.