As
governors extend stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of COVID-19, thirty-four
states and counting have mandated or recommended that schools remain closed for
the rest of the school year, affecting 38.6 million children.
In today’s Federal
Flash, we’ll discuss three coronavirus-related issues: funding for
governors to support education, new legislation to close the homework gap, and
the clash between special education administrators and advocates regarding
waivers from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during the
pandemic. We’ll also cover the federal court decision vacating the Trump administration’s
efforts to roll back Obama-era nutrition standards for school meals and the U.S. Department
of Education’s (ED’s) proposal to give educators vouchers or stipends to choose
their own professional development courses.
Education
Funding During COVID-19
Our viewers may recall
that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than $30 billion for education,
including $3 billion for governors. Last week, ED released the application for these
funds. Governors can use the emergency aid to provide school districts,
colleges, and other education-related entities with resources to respond to the
coronavirus. Grants will be awarded based on a state’s student-aged population
and poverty levels.
In a letter to governors,
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos called the emergency funds “extraordinarily
flexible” but encouraged states to spend funds on expanding and improving
remote learning experiences. Each of the three required questions in the
application asks states to describe whether they will use funds to support various
aspects of virtual learning.
Governors have until
June 1 to apply, and ED expects to obligate funds to states within three business
days of receiving a signed certification and agreement. More information is
available https://oese.ed.gov/offices/education-stabilization-fund/governors-emergency-education-relief-fund/.
Secretary
DeVos also has begun the process of distributing the $14 billion for institutions
of higher education included in the CARES Act, but we have yet to hear how and
when the $13 billion for K–12 education will be distributed. We’ll keep viewers
posted.
Emergency
Educational Connections Act of 2020
Meanwhile,
Congress continues to debate further coronavirus relief. Lawmakers and the
White House have just struck a deal on a $484 billion aid package for small
businesses, hospitals, and coronavirus testing, but will there be additional
funding for education in future aid packages? Advocates and educators certainly
hope so.
As
part of this effort, the Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020 was
introduced this week by Representative Grace Meng (D-NY). The
legislation would create a $2 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund to ensure students
have home internet access during school closures caused by the pandemic. The
Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) and many other organizations support
the bill, but Congress has extended its recess until early May due to the
pandemic, so it likely will be several weeks before we know whether this or any
other additional funding will be provided for education.
IDEA
Requirements During School Closures
A
clash is brewing among the special education community regarding how to support
students with disabilities during school closures. The CARES Act included
language giving Secretary DeVos thirty days to tell Congress if she needs
authority to waive parts of IDEA. As a result, the Council of Administrators of
Special Education and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education
recently sent a letter to Congress requesting waivers from timelines,
procedures, and fiscal management under IDEA. These groups say that in many
situations, meeting IDEA requirements during the pandemic is impossible.
On
the other hand,
All4Ed Website: https://all4ed.org
Twitter: @All4Ed
Instagram: @All4Ed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/all4ed
