ARP Overview: K-12 Education

K-12 Education

Allocations, Spending Authority, and Timing

• $123 billion in total funding available for use by September 30, 2023

• $800 million of these funds are designated for homeless youth

• The remaining funds are allocated to states (allocated in the same proportions as designated under Title I of ESEA). State funds are allocated directly to State Education Agencies; SEAs have spending authority over the 10% of funds that remain with states

• SEAs are responsible for allocating 90% of their funding to Local Education Agencies within 60 days of receipt, who then have spending authority in accordance with the below guidelines.

At the state level (10% of funds; $12 billion)

• • 5% of total K-12 funding ($6 billion; half of all state-allocated funding) for state-level learning loss activities

  • 1% ($1 billion) of total K-12 funding for summer enrichment

  • 1% ($1 billion) of total K-12 funding for after-school programming

  • 0.5% of total K-12 funding for state-level administration

At the district level (90% of funds; $110 billion)

• • Amounts based on the share of Title I funds the LEA receives

  • 20% of total local funding allocations ($22 billion) to address learning loss through evidence-based interventions

  • Allowable uses of remaining funds include:

    • Any activity authorized by ESEA, IDEA, The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, or Perkins

    • Activities to address the unique needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth

    • Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental after-school programs

Additional Resources

• Full text of the American Rescue Plan

• Invest Forward ARP FAQ

• See What the Huge COVID-19 Aid Deal Biden Has Signed Means for Education, in Two Charts (Education Week)

• An Unparalleled Investment in U.S. Public Education: Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (LPI)

• What Congressional Covid Funding Means for K-12 Schools (FutureEd)

• The American Rescue Plan: What’s in it for K-12 Schools? (ECS)

• Federal Funds Are Flowing! Here’s What We’re Finding So Far (EduNomics)

• Compilation of Submitted State Plans (EduNomics)

• First look at ESSER priorities: Districts are placing their bets on what they know (CRPE)