LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — With the school year right around the corner, whether virtually or in-person, districts most economically disadvantaged by the coronavirus pandemic are getting a little more financial help.
On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that she will allocate nearly $65 million in federal CARES act funding to Michigan school districts, higher education institutions, and other education-related entities focusing on districts significantly impacted by COVID-19.
This includes Michigan school districts that predominately serve economically disadvantaged students and will help address the digital divide that has been a barrier during virtual learning.
The funding comes from the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund, also known as GEER. Districts will receive funding based on their numbers of economically disadvantaged students, special education students, and English language learners.
According to a press release, recipient districts will be required to use GEER funds for any of the following goals:
- Connectivity: Devices, internet access, access to remote services, or other similar purposes.
- Student Mental Health: Funding would enhance access to remote and in-person student mental health services.
- Addressing Learning Loss: Funding could be used by districts to offer supplementary content and intervention services to mitigate the impacts of learning loss.
- Out-of-School-Time Learning: Funds could be used to support out-of-school-time learning. These expenditures would ensure students have safe spaces to participate in remote education.
- Remote Learning Materials and Training (digital and non-digital): Funds could address both digital and non-digital content where remote learning continues as an instructional delivery model.
- Teacher Training and Curriculum: Funding could be used to provide additional professional development and curriculum modifications that allow districts to effectively facilitate distance learning while expanding their knowledge of the science of teaching.
- Other health, safety, and wellness needs identified, required, or recommended in the MI Return to School Roadmap.
“$5.4 million will be distributed to other education related entities, and will be distributed for statewide mental health services, public television learning resources, implementation of teacher professional learning practices, and the Early On program to help reach more infants and toddlers through remote early intervention,” according to the press release.
In a written statement, Governor Whitmer said, “As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and approach the start of the new school year, we must continue doing everything we can to protect our students, educators, and support staff. This funding will help us do just that, and ensure crucial support for our schools, whether it’s helping schools access PPE and cleaning supplies or helping students mitigate the impacts of learning loss in districts that need it most. This is a good start, but we still need the federal government to work together on a bipartisan recovery package to support all Michigan students and educators, as well as state governments, families, and small businesses.”
More statewide COVID-19 information can always be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus.
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