OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma CareerTech has been denied access to over $7.5 million in federal funding for adult education programs due to a freeze imposed by the Trump administration, agency director Brent Haken confirmed Thursday.
The freeze, which began at the start of the fiscal year, affects Adult Education and Family Literacy programs provided by 30 organizations at 119 sites statewide. These programs offer essential services, including helping adults earn their high school equivalency diplomas.
According to Haken, the funding was withheld over concerns it may be used to educate undocumented immigrants. However, he said CareerTech has already implemented steps to ensure grant recipients are eligible. He expressed hope that the freeze will be lifted soon.
“These programs serve as a lifeline for thousands of Oklahomans who are seeking to improve their education and employment opportunities,” Haken said in a statement Friday. “Without access to these funds, we risk leaving our most vulnerable learners behind and weakening the state’s workforce pipeline. We urge federal officials to act swiftly to release these funds and protect educational opportunities for adult learners across Oklahoma.”
The freeze could impact more than 500 teachers who are not employed directly by CareerTech but rely on this funding to teach.
While many adult education programs have paused operations, some providers have continued to serve students despite the freeze.
Oklahoma does not provide alternate funding for high school equivalency education. Haken emphasized that approximately 300,000 adults in the state lack a high school diploma, and federal grants are their only viable path to educational advancement.
He added that he has been in communication with the state Legislature and expects clearer answers about the future of the funding by August 9.
CareerTech’s other major federal funding source—the $18.4 million Carl D. Perkins grant for career and technical education—is not affected by the freeze.
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