The American Rescue Plan is a chance for a new beginning in education and teaching children, especially those with special needs | Eclectablog

The American Rescue Plan is a chance for a new beginning in education and teaching children, especially those with special needs | Eclectablog

The American Rescue Plan is a chance for a new beginning in education and teaching children, especially those with special needs

The following essay was written by Trina Tocco. She is a resident of Royal Oak and has two amazing children who attend Ferndale Public Schools.

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When the pandemic hit, I had to make a choice – either one of my children wouldn’t be able to participate in virtual school because of mental illness or I would have to put my family at risk by bringing additional caregivers who I didn’t know into my home to help with my children so that I could work. I chose to open my home because the risks of an unsafe home with no one to really turn to didn’t seem like an option.

As a single mom trying to work and homeschool my children, it has often felt like I wouldn’t make it through the day. Emergency services like the Oakland County Mobile Youth Crisis line haven’t been available to go into homes since the start of the pandemic. The pediatric mental health hospitals are at full capacity and families are having to wait weeks in hospital waiting rooms for placements to ensure safety for their children and families. What were gaps in supports and services before the pandemic are now gaping holes.

During this pandemic, families like mine with special needs children have needed an adult from the school to be physically present. Unfortunately, given the lack of school staff, the limitations created by social distancing, and the outdated separation of services that are provided by schools versus community mental health agencies, this just wasn’t possible. Instead, I have had to CONTINUE READING: The American Rescue Plan is a chance for a new beginning in education and teaching children, especially those with special needs | Eclectablog

Will NYC Create a Thoughtful and Effective Plan for the Billions of Education Dollars or Waste on Mindless Testing and Remediation? | Ed In The Apple

Will NYC Create a Thoughtful and Effective Plan for the Billions of Education Dollars or Waste on Mindless Testing and Remediation? | Ed In The Apple

Will NYC Create a Thoughtful and Effective Plan for the Billions of Education Dollars or Waste on Mindless Testing and Remediation?

I was biking up Third Avenue in May, no cars as far as I could see, New York City was a ghost town. The pandemic was rampant, subways and buses empty, the cities revenue stream had ended …. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months.

Would the city go bankrupt?  (Read here)

Were we facing another 1975?  Widespread teacher layoffs? (Read here)

Candidate Biden becomes President Biden, the assault on the Congress fails and the Biden Rescue Plan becomes law.

Half of New York City is vaccinated and the number of vaccinated New Yorkers continues to grow.

The New York State legislature passes a budget that fully funds education, the fight over Foundation Aid is over.

Mayor de Blasio releases his Executive Budget, which he calls his Recovery Budget – worthwhile watching here.  The City Council has to approve the budget, the Council and the Mayor will negotiate and likely approve by mid-June.

The NYS Education Department has to submit a plan specifying how the Rescue Plan dollars will be utilized in the state. The Plan is due June 7th, see the Fact CONTINUE READING: Will NYC Create a Thoughtful and Effective Plan for the Billions of Education Dollars or Waste on Mindless Testing and Remediation? | Ed In The Apple

Education Department Announces State Allocations of $800 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness | U.S. Department of Education

Education Department Announces State Allocations of $800 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness | U.S. Department of Education

Education Department Announces State Allocations of $800 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced today plans to distribute $800 million to help support the needs of students experiencing homelessness under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) fund. ED announced the state allocations for the $800 million total allocated in the American Rescue Plan and will distribute $200 million in funding on Monday.

Alongside the announcement, the Department issued a letter to Chief State School Officers underscoring the urgent need to use this funding to identify homeless children and youth, provide wraparound services in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide assistance to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities, including in-person instruction this spring and upcoming summer learning and enrichment programs. The remaining funds will be allocated to states as soon as June.

"The pandemic made the inequities in our education system even worse, especially for students experiencing homelessness," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "As districts and schools return to in-person learning, we must act with urgency to provide all students, including students experiencing homelessness, equitable access to high-quality learning environments and the resources to help meet their basic needs which schools often provide."

The Department's letter to Chief State School Officers provides additional information and recommendations to support states and school districts in putting these resources to work to support students experiencing homelessness, particularly for student groups who have been historically underserved.

On Friday, April 23, 2021, at 4:15 p.m. ET, Secretary Cardona will lead a roundtable discussion with students who have experienced homelessness, centering the conversation on lived experiences and critical federal investments. Secretary Cardona will be joined by U.S. Sen.  Patty Murray (WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (WV). Together, they will learn about the individual background of each student and discuss how American Rescue Plan funds can support students experiencing homelessness. Members of the press who wish to cover the event may RSVP by emailing press@ed.gov.

Today's announcement received praise from Members of Congress from both sides of aisle:

"This past year has been so difficult for every student, parent and educator across the country—but what students experiencing homelessness have gone through is unthinkable. The first thing we told people during this pandemic was to 'stay home.' But so many students don't have a safe place to call home, access to internet, devices, or critical services that students have relied on to learn during this pandemic," said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). "We fought hard to make sure the American Rescue Plan includes dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness, and that the Department of Education is acting quickly to get these resources to our communities. I'll keep fighting to make sure students experiencing homelessness not only get enrolled in school, but also get the kind of support and stability they need so they can learn and grow in the classroom."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional burdens for everyone but especially our students currently experiencing homelessness," said U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (WV). "I am pleased Secretary Cardona is moving quickly to get the first round of the $800 million I successfully fought to include in the American Rescue Plan to school systems so they can identify and assist homeless students in their schools. If we can't find these students, we can't provide the essential support and services they need. I won't stop fighting to put a roof over every student's head and ensure they have the tools to succeed. I look forward to continue working with my bipartisan colleagues as well as Secretary Cardona to help every student thrive."

"It is significant that every single one of my colleagues recognized the importance of supporting homeless youth and children by unanimously agreeing to my amendment twice on the Senate floor earlier this year," said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK). "I thank President Biden and Secretary Cardona for working with me and my colleagues to get this funding out the door as quickly and effectively as possible. By releasing this first round of funding, we can start to provide much-needed relief to the most vulnerable - homeless youth and children. I appreciate that Secretary Cardona has invited a young Alaskan to participate in a roundtable discussion with students who have experienced homelessness. This young Alaskan, who has persevered and is now thriving, will be a strong voice for so many other young people throughout our country."  

"Arizona youth experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, deserve safe and stable shelter, especially during the pandemic. I'm proud of our work across the aisle ensuring the COVID-relief law included our bipartisan Emergency Family Stabilization Fund, helping protect Arizona families and children from housing insecurity and keeping kids connected to their school work," said U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ).

Specific state allocations are listed below:

State	Total ARP Homeless Allocation	ARP Homeless I (April allocation)
ALABAMA	13,232,539	3,308,135
ALASKA	2,349,723	587,431
ARIZONA	16,914,124	4,228,531
ARKANSAS	8,209,311	2,052,328
CALIFORNIA	98,709,231	24,677,307
COLORADO	7,640,075	1,910,019
CONNECTICUT	7,244,365	1,811,091
DELAWARE	2,690,527	672,632
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	2,530,583	632,646
FLORIDA	46,104,268	11,526,067
GEORGIA	27,835,648	6,958,912
HAWAII	2,700,973	675,243
IDAHO	2,881,855	720,464
ILLINOIS	33,112,868	8,278,217
INDIANA	13,066,572	3,266,643
IOWA	5,073,494	1,268,374
KANSAS	5,440,776	1,360,194
KENTUCKY	13,656,376	3,414,094
LOUISIANA	17,067,174	4,266,793
MAINE	2,694,256	673,564
MARYLAND	12,780,987	3,195,247
MASSACHUSETTS	11,988,315	2,997,079
MICHIGAN	24,366,891	6,091,723
MINNESOTA	8,650,935	2,162,734
MISSISSIPPI	10,659,014	2,664,754
MISSOURI	12,816,310	3,204,078
MONTANA	2,502,430	625,607
NEBRASKA	3,575,993	893,998
NEVADA	7,022,161	1,755,540
NEW HAMPSHIRE	2,295,973	573,993
NEW JERSEY	18,109,524	4,527,381
NEW MEXICO	6,413,341	1,603,335
NEW YORK	58,881,309	14,720,327
NORTH CAROLINA	23,576,625	5,894,156
NORTH DAKOTA	1,999,661	499,915
OHIO	29,294,425	7,323,606
OKLAHOMA	9,783,762	2,445,941
OREGON	7,343,336	1,835,834
PENNSYLVANIA	32,732,708	8,183,177
PUERTO RICO	19,428,481	4,857,120
RHODE ISLAND	2,718,574	679,643
SOUTH CAROLINA	13,835,064	3,458,766
SOUTH DAKOTA	2,502,430	625,607
TENNESSEE	16,295,356	4,073,839
TEXAS	81,348,380	20,337,095
UTAH	4,032,024	1,008,006
VERMONT	1,867,977	466,994
VIRGINIA	13,818,290	3,454,572
WASHINGTON	12,134,870	3,033,718
WEST VIRGINIA	4,987,694	1,246,924
WISCONSIN	10,092,963	2,523,241
WYOMING	1,989,459	497,365
National Activities	1,000,000
TOTALS	800,000,000	199,750,000

• Tags: American Rescue Plan (ARP)Press Releases

Education Department Announces State Allocations of $800 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness | U.S. Department of Education

Schools Matter: Dear Sen. Bennet: The best way to help "high poverty schools" is to eliminate "high poverty schools."

Schools Matter: Dear Sen. Bennet: The best way to help "high poverty schools" is to eliminate "high poverty schools."

Dear Sen. Bennet: The best way to help "high poverty schools" is to eliminate "high poverty schools."

Call me excited about the many billions of dollars that Team Biden is planning to invest in new and renewed education initiatives, from pre-K through college.  Even more exciting is the total absence (so far) of systemic efforts to bribe and/or extort states to adopt corporate policies favored by the profiteers of the education industrial complex.  It's too early to know for sure, but it looks as if these unprecedented education investments now on the horizon actually acknowledge the massive education debt owed to public institutions that have been deprived for decades of needed funds for staffing, physical plants, transportation, and instructional resources.

As these new funding streams come closer to reality, the Biden Team has also targeted child poverty, with tax credits in the Covid relief legislation that will cut child poverty almost in half. If these cuts can be made permanent, the reductions in child poverty would constitute, in themselves, the most important education reform of the past 50 years.  For as child poverty rates decrease, we may certainly expect increases in student achievement.

But old habits of thought die slowly, it seems.  For as we stand on the cusp of dramatically cutting poverty rates and addressing other structural issues that have helped preserve segregation based on race and class, some politicians remain focused on treating the symptom, rather than the disease.  

Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) offers a good example of politicians who believe that the performance, CONTINUE READING: Schools Matter: Dear Sen. Bennet: The best way to help "high poverty schools" is to eliminate "high poverty schools."

NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

The NYC Council has now proposed in its preliminary budget response that DOE allocate $250M next year for class size reduction. This amount would be used to hire 2500 new teachers, which could then reduce class size in as many as 10,000 smaller classes citywide, since each new teacher and class creates smaller classes for every other class in the same grade and/or subject in each school.

See the press release here and below, and an updated fact sheet here.

Now we have to ensure that the Council negotiates hard and the Mayor and the Chancellor  agree that this funding is included in the final budget.  How can you help?

First, sign our (slightly revised) petition, if you haven't already.  

Second, if you're a member of a CEC, PTA or other community organization, please consider passing this resolution, urging that at least $250 million be spent on class size reduction next year; please also invite us to your next meeting to do a presentation on how and why smaller classes are so critical.  

If you're not a CEC member, please consider sharing the resolution with your district CEC, Community board or other organization and urge them to approve it as well.  

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NYC Council proposes $250 million for class size reduction next year

In their Preliminary Budget Response, the NYC Council proposes that next year $250 million should be allocated to lowering class size, especially targeted towards struggling schools with vulnerable student populations. This would allow the Department of Education to hire an additional 2,500 teachers, which could lower class size in as many as CONTINUE READING: NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

FAQ: Why NYC Schools should use infusion of new federal & state funds to lower class size next year | Class Size Matters

FAQ: Why NYC Schools should use infusion of new federal & state funds to lower class size next year | Class Size Matters 

FAQ: Why NYC Schools should use infusion of new federal & state funds to lower class size next year

Check out the fact sheet here or below.  If you support smaller classes, please urge your CEC or community group to support this resolution.  Please also sign our petition here.

FAQ: Why NYC Schools should use infusion of new federal & state funds to lower class size next year | Class Size Matters 

CURMUDGUCATION: SC: Lawsuit Looks For Public Dollar Pay Day For Catholic Schools

CURMUDGUCATION: SC: Lawsuit Looks For Public Dollar Pay Day For Catholic Schools

SC: Lawsuit Looks For Public Dollar Pay Day For Catholic Schools

In South Carolina, a lawsuit filed this week seeks to obliterate the wall between church and state.

Like most such lawsuits, the federal lawsuit has been a advocacy group that specializes in such things-- you may remember the Liberty Justice Center as the folks who won the Janus case, which either was an attack on unions wrapped in the First Amendment. 

As with most such cases, the advocacy group needed to find themselves some plaintiffs to attach the case to. What's striking this time is that the plaintiffs are not some group of regular citizens-- the lawsuit-- Bishop of Charleston v. Adams  has been filed on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, plus a group of independent colleges.

The federal suit follows the South Carolina Supreme Court's rejection of Governor Henry McMaster's attempt to use CARES pandemic relief funds for private schools.

That court found the desire to hand public funds to private schools unconstitutional. So the solution is obvious--sue to have the state's constitution rewritten.

The case has a target perfect for PR purposes--the Blaine Amendment. In 1875, President Grant proposed, and Congressman James G. Blaine officially launched, a move to add a constitutional CONTINUE READING: CURMUDGUCATION: SC: Lawsuit Looks For Public Dollar Pay Day For Catholic Schools

How would you recommend spending the billions of American Rescue Act dollars? Everyone seems to have ideas(s). | Ed In The Apple

How would you recommend spending the billions of American Rescue Act dollars? Everyone seems to have ideas(s). | Ed In The Apple

How would you recommend spending the billions of American Rescue Act dollars? Everyone seems to have ideas(s).

New York City will be deciding how to spend billions of education dollars within the next few months, and, everybody has ideas.

The interim chancellor (the term used for superintendent in New York City) immediately suggested summer school, as did many others (including the new law). The law also says the dollars must be spent on “evidence-based” interventions: a challenge.

The evidence that summer school is effective is slim and discouraging.
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Research studies done before the pandemic show that summer school usually don’t accomplish its purpose of raising reading or math achievement. 

 “Generally, summer programs are not effective because they don’t really engage young people and they’re not run well,”

Even if the evidence is discouraging we’re going to have summer school: will it be the same old review and remediate (“boring”) or an interesting program that excites kids?   I would suggest summer school is project-based. Spend the last two weeks in June selecting a project and the summer working on a standards- CONTINUE READING: How would you recommend spending the billions of American Rescue Act dollars? Everyone seems to have ideas(s). | Ed In The Apple