The state of Texas released $11.2 billion in new federal funds to help public schools recover from pandemic-related learning loss and costs.
Effective April 28, districts and open-enrollment charter schools (school systems) in Texas were eligible to receive their allocation of the one-time federal funds.
The funds were appropriated to the state of Texas for public education purposes under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) Fund.
These funds are intended to support a comprehensive learning recovery effort in Texas over the next three years. Due to federal requirements, two-thirds of the funds are available immediately under grants administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The remaining one-third of ESSER III funds will be released to schools, contingent upon the U.S. Department of Education approving the state plan. Accord ing to the TEA, the state plan will be developed in consultation with educators and other stakeholders around the state, as required by federal law.
As the TEA is working through these issues with the Department of Education, the state will continue to hold districts harmless for decreases in enrollment, fund learning devices through Operation Connectivity, and reimburse school districts for their COVID-19 related costs during the spring 2020 semester.