Secretary Cardona Releases Statement on Anniversary of the American Rescue Plan
Last week, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona published a statement highlighting the impacts of the American Rescue Plan on the nation’s schools. Passed last year, the American Rescue Plan delivered $130 billion to state and local educational systems to safely reopen schools and facilitate in-person learning.
In his statement, Secretary Cardona highlighted equity as a pillar of the Department’s guidance on American Rescue Plan fund use. He noted funds have been used to create summer and afterschool programs, strengthen the educator workforce, and address children’s social, emotional, and mental health needs in K-12 institutions. Colleges and universities have used funds to mitigate the effects of the pandemic through COVID testing, tuition assistance, and campus safety. Cardona also referenced the White House’s fact sheets on the impact of American Rescue Plan funds in classrooms.