Good afternoon,
Today the U.S. Department of Education announced American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The announcement includes a table outlining the individual funding amounts that will be distributed for each state.
The information covers the $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to support efforts "to reopen K-12 schools safely this month and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most." U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona provided the information to each state education commissioner in individual letters today. The Department will begin to make these funds available this month. The link to the information can be accessed at the following link: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USED/bulletins/2c79d18
Today's announcement coincides with another announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it will provide $10 billion to states to support COVID-19 screening testing for K-12 teachers, staff, and students in schools.
Additionally, please find a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report attached that details estimated state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) under the ARP.
Finally, we wanted you to be aware the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced earlier today the virtual National Safe School Reopening Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 12pm EDT. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Rochelle Walensky will be speaking. The event will also have three panels that will include health experts, educators and education leaders, and students.
We hope you find this information helpful and timely. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Chip
------------------------------
Chip Slaven
Chief Advocacy Officer
National School Boards Association
Alexandria, VA
------------------------------