On April 27, the U.S. Department of Education announced that available soon will be over $300 million in competitive grant funding to help states rethink education and workforce development in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants will be funded through the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF), authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.
Of the over $300 million, $180 million will be made available for the Rethink K-12 School Models Grant, which is aimed to support “new, innovative ways for students to access k-12 education.” There is an emphasis on meeting students’ needs during the current pandemic. State Educational Agencies are able to apply for the funding, under one of the following categories:
- Microgrants for families, so that states can ensure students have access to the necessary technology and services needed to advance their learning
- Statewide virtual learning and course access programs, so that students will always be able to access a full range of subjects, even those not taught in the traditional or assigned setting
- New, field-initiated models for providing remote education not yet imagined, to ensure that every child is learning and preparing for successful careers and lives
The full Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) is available here.
The other $127.5 million will be made available through the Reimagining Workforce Preparation Grants. This grant is designed to help states expand short-term postsecondary programs and work-based learning programs in an effort to get people back to work. The full NIA for this should be issued within two weeks, and more details about specific activities required as well as eligible applicants will be available then.
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