Schools in Texas to get $12.4B in pandemic emergency relief funding
The U.S. Department of Education announced on March 17 that State Educational Agencies (SEAs) and school districts in Texas are set to receive a total of $12.41 billion from the $121.97 billion in federal aid allocated to education in the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding in the ARP will support each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia ‘s efforts to reopen K-12 schools safely in March and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most.
Funds may be used to address the impacts of COVID-19 on pre-K through 12th-grade education.
The Secretary of Education encouraged SEAs and school districts to use the funds to equitably expand opportunities for students who need the funds most, including students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, and students with inadequate access to technology.
Texas will receive the second most funding among the states with California allocated $15.07 billion.