Overview

• The department declined to certify Magnet Schools Assistance Program grants after a Sept. 23 deadline to rescind Chicago’s Black Student Success Plan and to restrict transgender students’ access to facilities and sports.
• FY 2026 losses cited are about $15 million for New York City, $5.8 million for Chicago, and $3.4 million for Fairfax County, with larger multi-year awards also reported as canceled or at risk.
• Chicago Public Schools says the cut creates roughly an $8 million gap in its current budget and is reviewing whether planned magnet initiatives can continue.
• New York City officials say roughly 8,500 students would lose specialized curricula, afterschool programs, and summer learning, and the city is weighing litigation.
• Districts contend the Education Department failed to cite legal violations or provide evidence and denied due process, as related Title VI and Title IX investigations remain open.