The unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 are affecting students, teachers and families across the nation. ExcelinEd is committed to serving education leaders and policymakers with timely and useful information so they can support students in the best ways possible.
The American Rescue Plan provides nearly $1.9 trillion in stimulus funds to states with an astounding $123 billion allocated to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund for safe school re-openings and recovering learning loss. State and local education agencies have enormous responsibility to ensure this money makes a difference for every student, […]
View MoreAs part of both the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and the recently passed 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), the U.S. Department of Education (USED) made available almost $4.2 billion for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER). Governors across the nation have the opportunity to be strategic with their use of GEER funds to support education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important to note that the second round of GEER funds have been split into two: GEER II funds, which do not require governors to reapply or submit new proposals to the USED, and Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS), a new program that will require a plan be submitted to and approved by USED ($2.75 billion) to access support for private schools.
For additional information, see the full GEER methodology and allocations, including those for EANS.
All governors face the same challenge: ensuring the greatest return on investment (ROI) for education from these limited, one-time relief dollars. To meet this challenge, governors can “go big” in targeted areas to ensure that every GEER dollar has an impact:
To support state policymakers and education leaders, ExcelinEd has developed Reopening Schools After COVID-19 Closures: Considerations for States, which was created with input and feedback from national, state and local leaders.
This resource outlines a variety of approaches and considerations for reopening based on the following questions:
The document outlines a variety of options addressing each of these questions without promoting one option over another. Rather, ExcelinEd’s intent is to share ideas with state leaders and policymakers—all of whom are grappling with some version of these questions.
Just a few months ago, states were facing the challenge of teaching all students to read by the end of third grade. Now, they must also consider the impact of COVID-19 on fourth-grade reading readiness. Transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn in third grade is a significant milestone, and this unprecedented nationwide disruption to student learning will likely have long-term implications.
Please submit any education innovations or resources to Info@ExcelinEd.org for consideration.
The following resources feature tools, platforms, information and tips from experts and partners we hope will help you care for your students, family and community during these uncertain times.