U.S Dept. of Ed, National Comprehensive Center Release Tool to Support Effective Use of ARPA Funds

On January 28th, the U.S. Department of Education and its technical assistance partner the National Comprehensive Center released a new resource to help states share their progress deploying the $122 billion American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds. These funds support safe in-person instruction, address the effects of lost instructional time due to COVID-19, and meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students.

"Through ARP PATHS, states and districts will be able to more effectively and transparently communicate their efforts and share promising practices so that, across the country, we can do more of what works to ensure that our students, schools, and educators thrive," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

ARP PATHS includes a number of considerations for states as they build capacity and communicate their work to districts and the public. The tool includes six sections that are based on the ARP ESSER state plan application that all states have submitted, and the Department has approved. For each section, states can indicate the implementation status, describe their states' progress, and outline promising practices or impact.

These include topics such as implementing strategies to support safe in-person instruction, incorporating ongoing engagement with parents and other stakeholders, addressing learning loss, meeting urgent staffing needs, and ensuring transparency.

To read the full press release, visit: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-national-comprehensive-center-release-latest-tool-support-effective-use-american-rescue-plan-funds