HOW USDE APPROVES MARYLAND’S PLAN FOR USE OF ARP TO SUPPORT K-12 SCHs & STUDENTS, DISTRIBUTES REMAINING $651+M (3114 hits)
For Immediate Release From USDE!
On October 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the approval of Maryland’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan and distributed remaining ARP ESSER funds to them. Maryland’s plan details how the state is using and plans to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As students and states return to school, the Department released the Return To School Roadmap, which provides key resources and supports for students, parents, educators, and school communities to build excitement around returning to classrooms this school year and outlines how federal funding can support the safe and sustained return to in-person learning. ARP funds can be used to support the roadmap’s efforts.
Earlier this year, the Department distributed two-thirds of the ARP ESSER funds, totaling $81 billion, to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining third of the funding to states will be made available once state plans are approved. Maryland is receiving $1.9 billion total in ARP ESSER funds, and today’s approval of their plan will result in the release of the final $651 million. Additionally, the Department approved state plans from Nebraska and Virginia. Today’s approvals mean a total of 44 ARP ESSER state plans have been approved since June.
“I am excited to announce approval of Maryland’s plan,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “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 enter the upcoming academic year. The approval of these plans enables states to receive vital, additional American Rescue Plan funds to quickly and safely reopen schools for full-time, in-person learning; meet students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs; and address disparities in access to educational opportunity that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. 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.”
“With the approval of Maryland’s American Rescue Plan, we will steadfastly continue our work to transform Maryland education as we focus on accelerating student achievement, supporting mental, social, and emotional health, and addressing disrupted education,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury. “We are seizing this moment to ensure that every Maryland student has access to excellent educational opportunities and strong outcomes. We will not accept a return to normal, because normal was not good enough, especially for those who have been historically underserved.”
“Team Maryland recognized the urgent need for significant, additional resources to address learning loss for students during the pandemic and worked with the Biden-Harris Administration to provide more than $1.9 billion for Maryland’s public schools through the American Rescue plan,” said Sen. Ben Cardin. “Today’s approval of Maryland’s plan by the U.S. Department of Education means the state and local school districts soon will be better able to support students who have fallen behind, and make targeted investments and improvements in school facilities, enhancing educational programs.”
“Our children all must have equal opportunities to succeed in their education. Students and educators in Maryland and across the country have faced unprecedented challenges throughout this pandemic, including a widening learning gap,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen. “I was proud to help secure these funds within the American Rescue Plan to
