Detailed Explanation of the K-12 Funding Request in the American Rescue Plan
On February 5, 2021, the Biden Administration released additional information on the President's latest $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic relief proposal dubbed a Detailed Explanation of the K-12 Funding Request in the American Rescue Plan. Specifically, this document serves as the Administration's justification to Congress to appropriate $145 billion in K-12 education funding to support LEA's safely reopening. As good news, the plan differed from the initial details of Biden's $130B K-12 education proposal during the campaign trail.
As a justification for the higher request in funding from Congress, the President based his new proposal on CDC cost estimates associated with safely operating school districts during the 2020-2021 academic year, an approximation of the costs for school districts to avoid lay-offs into the next school year, and an estimate of the additional costs around the academic and social-emotional needs of students that have resulted from the pandemic. We've included an overview of a breakdown in allowable uses of K-12 funding in the chart below.
Allowable Use of Funding
|
Cost in Billions of $
|
Estimate Source
|
To avoid Lay-offs Closes budget holes so districts can avoid
lay-offs this school year and next.
|
60
|
Learning Policy Institute, Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities, National Conference of State Legislatures
|
To provide for physical barriers and other materials CDC recommends
to help keep students safe
|
3.5
|
CDC
|
To provide additional custodial staff members
|
14
|
CDC
|
To support additional Transportation Investments that provide for social distancing on buses
|
14
|
CDC
|
To provide PPE for students eligible for free or reduced-price
lunch
|
6
|
AFT,CDC, American Association of School Business Professionals
|
To support activities around promoting social distancing by
reducing class size
|
50
|
AFT
|
To provide a nurse to the 25% of schools without one
|
3
|
American School Nurse Association
|
To extend learning time & support for students through
tutoring or summer school
|
29
|
Learning Policy Institute
|
To provide the additional school counselors and psychologists
|
10
|
American School Counselor Association
|
Activities around the digital divide
|
7
|
Census Pulse Survey Data
|
To provide wrap-around services and supports to students and families
through Community Schools
|
.1
|
Internal
|
To advance equity and evidence based polices to respond to the COVID-19
pandemic
|
2
|
Internal
|
Total Need
|
199
|
N/A
|
Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133)
|
- 54
|
N/A
|
Net Funding `
|
145
|
N/A
|