A third round of COVID-19 relief is on the way for Alabama’s public schools. The American Rescue Plan (ARP), a $1.9 trillion federal relief package, was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11. The stimulus provides $126 billion for K-12 public schools nationally. That’s more than double the $54.3 billion received by the states from the last COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in December 2020 – and almost 10 times as large as the $13.2 billion American schools received from the CARES Act funding passed at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Alabama’s schools can expect over $2 billion from ARP, bringing total federal relief available to Alabama schools to more than $3.2 billion.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what K-12 stakeholders in Alabama can expect from this new funding.

That’s a lot of (K-12) money

Alabama’s $2 billion for K-12 education will be primarily allocated through the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) Fund. At least 87.5% of this funding goes directly to local school districts based on the federal Title I formula. These funds will be focused on addressing unfinished learning and supporting schools’ return to in-person learning. In particular, ARP stipulates that 20% of ESSER funds must be spent to directly address student learning loss. The remaining ESSER funds can be used at the discretion of local school districts. Allowable expenditures include:

• Equitably addressing student learning loss, and focusing efforts on the unique needs of those living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, learning English or living with a disability.
• Investing in high-quality summer and after-school enrichment programs.
• Expanding mental health services.
• Repairing and improving school facilities to reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards.

Within 30 days of receiving funding, school districts must publicly publish a plan for safely returning to in-person schooling.

The Alabama State Department of Education can withhold up to 12.5% of the allocation to be used at its discretion. At least 5% of the withheld funds must be spent to address learning loss, 1% for evidence-based summer enrichment programs and 1% for evidence-based, comprehensive after-school programs.

As a condition for receiving ESSER funds, state education agencies must continue to financially support K-12 public schools (maintenance of effort) at the same level or greater in fiscal 2022 and 2023 as they did on the average of fiscal 2017-2019. Similarly, state agencies and local districts may not reduce funding on a per-pupil basis (maintenance of equity). Bottom line: As the Legislature prepares to pass a state education budget, it cannot reduce funding to local school districts or the state risks losing ESSER funds. This is not expected to be an issue, with both Gov. Kay Ivey and the Legislature supporting increases in state funding.

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) recently released a detailed analysis of ARP stimulus funding levels for 16 states, including Alabama. Additionally, the Alliance for Excellent Education prepared a one-page summary that details the education provisions of ARP.

New funding is meant to bridge the gap in K-12 education costs created by COVID-19. (Getty Images)

More funding for broadband 

The new stimulus package creates a $7.2 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund that goes toward funding of the federal government’s e-rate program. This program traditionally provides discounts to eligible schools and public libraries to receive free or largely subsidized internet access. High-poverty schools along with rural schools receive higher discounts. Eligible schools and libraries will be able to use the funds to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and connected devices. The new law allows schools and libraries to extend broadband service farther into their communities, reaching more households.

Targeted funding for special education

ARP includes $3 billion nationally in dedicated funding for Individuals benefiting from Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) programs. This allocation allows school districts to invest in programs that are uniquely designed to address the challenge of unfinished learning for special-education students. These funds are for use in fiscal 2021.

Other education funds in the plan

Child care and Head Start: ARP includes $39.97 billion for Child Care Stabilization as well as Child Care and Development Block Grants to help child care centers reopen, as well as provide essential workers with financial aid to secure child care. $1 billion has been allocated for Head Start.

Food insecurity: The plan provides $5.6 billion to maintain and expand the Pandemic-EBT program, which provides extra money on a debit-like card to families with children who are not able to access school meals. The program has been used to fight food insecurities throughout the pandemic.

Science research: $100 million has been allocated to fund education research through the Institute of Education Sciences.

The urgency of now

Are these three rounds of stimulus enough to help Alabama schools bridge the digital divide and close learning gaps? It’s truly the multibillion-dollar question of the moment. While the ARP calls for at least 20% of relief funds to be spent on addressing student learning loss, it depends on whether school districts make it the primary focus.

Those that choose to do so can invest in sound, evidence-based educational policy solutions that extend student learning through summer and after-school programs, meet unmet learning demands (through high-dosage tutoring) and emphasize student mental and physical health. Some of A+’s state and national partners have provided recommendations. The Business Education Alliance of Alabama (BEA) has a new report out. Additionally, Tennessee SCORE and the 50CAN network have provided policy recommendations.

Matt Smith is vice president of policy for A+ Education Partnership. Smith, who has been a teacher, principal and central office administrator, received his doctorate in educational leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in May 2020. This article originally appeared on A+ Education Partnership’s blog.