USED Approves State ARP Plans
On July 7, USED announced the approval of seven American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund state plans and distribute remaining funding to those states. These plans detail how states are using and plan to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the needs of students, including by equitably expanding opportunities for students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, the Department distributed two-thirds of the ARP ESSER funds, totaling $81 billion, to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining third of the funding to states is being made available to states once their plans are approved. The approval of state plans for Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah will result in the release of nearly $6 billion in ARP ESSER funds, following the $12 billion in ARP ESSER funds distributed earlier this year.
A total of 40 states have submitted their ARP ESSER state plans to the Department. The agency is reviewing plans expeditiously and is in contact with states to ensure they meet all necessary requirements. The Department is also in contact with states that have not yet submitted plans, the vast majority of which are due to state board of education or legislative review requirements.
https://oese.ed.gov/offices/american-rescue-plan/american-rescue-plan-elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/stateplans/
