Pre-K-12 schools to receive nearly $5B in federal funds

Pre-K through grade 12 schools in Pennsylvania are expected to receive $4.9 billion in federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

The funding will help schools equitably expand the opportunity for students and help return students to classroom learning.

“Our school communities need these additional resources to invest in instructional materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, and more, and we are pleased to make these funds available to them,” acting Department of Education Secretary Noe Ortega said. “These funds will provide more assistance to school communities as we continue to navigate the pandemic.”

The majority of the funding, $4.5 billion, will be allocated to traditional public school districts and charter schools. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, each school will receive an amount proportional to the federal Title I-A funding it received in 2020.

The school districts and charter schools must use at least 20 percent of the funding to address underrepresented students’ social, emotional, and academic needs, as well as learning loss.

The remaining $500 million will be used to support summer enrichment and comprehensive afterschool programs, address learning loss, and assist schools that do not qualify directly for funding.

Funds must be used by September 2024.

To receive funding, districts and charter schools must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.