$1.1B in federal funding approved to help schools with COVID costs
Will expand student resources, aid return to in-person learning
The federal Department of Education has given final approval for Covid-relief assistance to state schools, providing an additional $369 million as districts open for in-person learning.
In total, Connecticut will receive $1.1 billion to help schools around the state return to in-person learning safely under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief legislation approved by Congress.
Connecticut had received $731 million of the funds before the Department of Education announced Friday the state would
receive the rest of the money after approving the state’s education plan.
“I am excited to announce approval of Connecticut’s plan,” U.S. Secretary of Education
Miguel Cardona said. “It is heartening to see, reflected in these state plans, the ways in which states are thinking deeply about
how to use American Rescue Plan funds to continue to provide critical support to schools and communities, particularly as we move into the summer and look ahead to the upcoming academic year.”
The funds will be used to promote safe in-person classes and help students meet with social, emotional and academic needs, Cardona said.
“The state plans that have been submitted to the department lay the groundwork for the ways in which an unprecedented infusion of federal resources will be used to address the urgent needs of America’s children and build back better.”
Connecticut’s plan especially focuses on and highlights the return to in-person learning, addressing the academic impact of lost instructional time, investing in summer learning and after school programs, developing resources for social, emotional and mental health needs and providing more support in family engagement.
“As Connecticut kids head back to school, it is critical that educators have the federal funding necessary to help them thrive,” Sen. Chris Murphy said. “I am grateful Connecticut continues to be a leader in addressing the needs of all our students by putting together a plan that meets this moment.”
Part of the funds will go to the creation of digital platforms to support learning acceleration and credit recovery alongside tutoring and “expanded pathways to educator certification focusing on multilingual educators, special education educators, educators of color and male educators,” a news release said.
The money will also go to mental health resources to “support school district efforts to strengthen educators’ engagement with families,” by including more public forums, community visits, focus groups and surveys.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been striving to make the investments necessary to help our school communities meet their areas of greatest need, especially for those students disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” Commissioner of Education Charlene Russelltucker said in a statement. “This historic level of funding allows us, as one educational community, to be bold and innovative as we forge our path to a transformative and equitable recovery.”
The Department of Education says that 46 states and D.C., have sent their plans to them. Aside from Connecticut, Alaska, Illinois and Louisiana were approved Friday, bringing the number up to 32 approved state education plans.