Third-grader Kate Freeman read a book on a mobile device while taking an in-person class at Deer Park Elementary School on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Deer Park.
Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer
School on March 30, 2021, in Deer Park.”/>Grade one Easton Bridges works on an assignment in his grade one class at Deer Park Elementary School on March 30, 2021, in Deer Park.
Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer
Texas is expected to receive an additional $ 4.1 billion in federal stimulus funding on Wednesday to meet the post-pandemic needs of students.
The funding comes as the US Department of Education approved spending plans of $ 12.4 billion allocated to the state, according to the agency. The Texas plan is among the first proposals to receive federal approval. Plans for South Dakota, Massachusetts, Utah, Arkansas, Rhode Island and Washington DC were also approved.
TEA’s plan calls for prioritizing supporting students’ mental health needs and addressing wasted teaching time. The plan will fund expanded tutoring, high-quality teaching materials and job-integrated learning.
“Approval of these plans allows states to receive additional essential US bailout funds to quickly and safely reopen schools for full-time in-person learning; meet the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of students; and address disparities in access to educational opportunities that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, ”Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.
The Department of Education distributed $ 81 billion nationwide earlier this year, which was two-thirds of the US Rescue Plan’s emergency relief funding for K-12 schools. The remainder of the funding will be distributed to states as their plans are approved. Texas received $ 8.3 billion at the end of March.
Districts statewide are required to submit their own plans for the use of funds by July 27.
