30 Mar2020

How the $2 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill Supports Education

AACTE Responds to COVID-19

This blog post is written by AACTE consultant Jane West and is intended to provide updated information. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

I am in awe of the incredible work of our colleague educators who are managing their ever-changing personal situations, while still stepping up to creatively deliver for our students. And hats off to Hill staff who have worked relentlessly and around the clock to put this third COVID-19 response package together.

Congress Will Pass Third COVID-19 Stimulus Bill with a Boost for Education

The frenzied activity on Capitol Hill has yielded the single largest funding bill in our nation’s history at $2 trillion.The 888 page bill—H.R. 748, the CARES Act—passed the Senate late Wednesday night with a vote of 96-0. (Four Senators were absent due to the virus, including Sen. Rand. Paul (R-KY) who has tested positive, and 3 others who are self-quarantining.) The House is looking to pass the bill today [Friday, March 27], hoping that a voice vote will work—meaning that no Member of the House would object. President Trump has indicated that he will sign the bill.

The bill includes $30.75 billion in an Education Stabilization Fund. The funding, which goes to the governors through formula grants, breaks down this way:

$13.5 Billion for K-12
$14.25 Billion for higher education
$3 billion for governor’s discretion to assist K-12 and higher ed in relation to addressing the epidemic

States have 30 days to apply for funds to the Department of Education. Funds will be distributed based on formulas detailed in the bill—one for K-12 and another for higher education. The bill indicates that states and school districts shoul, to the greatest extent possible, continue to pay employees and contractors during the disruptions caused by the virus. In order to receive the funding, states must agree to providing funding for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 at least at the same level as the average of the prior three fiscal years. However, Sec. Betsy DeVos is granted the authority to waive this requirement. The bill also gives the Secretary of Education new waiver authority for both K-12 and higher education.

What is in the bill for K-12 education?

Of the $30.5 billion, $13.5 billion has been set aside for K-12 education. The funds can be used for any activity authorized under ESSA, IDEA, the Career and Technical Education Act, and the Homeless Assistance Act. Other uses of funds detailed in the bill include

Coordination of preparedness with public health and other agencies
Resources for principals and other school leaders
Activities to address the unique needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, homeless students, racial and ethnic minorities and foster care youth
Training and professional development on minimizing the spread of infectious diseases
Purchasing cleaning supplies
Planning for long-term closures including how to provide guidance for implementing IDEA
Purchasing educational technology, which may include assistive technology or adaptive technology
Providing mental health services
Planning for summer learning and supplemental after-school programs

What waiver authority is provided?

State education agencies, local school districts, and Indian tribes may request waivers from a range of ESSA provisions. The Secretary has 30 days to act on the waiver request. To date, most states have requested and been provided waivers for the testing and accountability requirements under ESSA. Waivers may not exceed the 2019-2020 school year.

Within thirty days of the enactment of the law, the Secretary is required to submit a report to Congress with recommendations for additional waivers under IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ESSA, and the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The Congress would then need to amend those laws if they agree that waivers are needed.

What is in the bill for higher education?

Of the $30.75 billion in the Education Stabilization Fund, $14.25 billion is directed to higher education. The funds will be allocated to institutions on the basis of the existing financial aid distribution system which distributes 75% of funds based on full-time equivalent enrollment of Pell grant recipients. The bill directs 7.5% of the funds to minority serving institutions. Temporary relief is provided for federal student loan borrowers. Payments on direct loans are suspended through September 2020

A number of provisions provide for flexibility in the Higher Education Act, including for the administration of Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work Study programs.

The bill includes a provision allowing the Secretary of Education to modify requirements of TEACH grants. A TEACH grant recipient who is unable to fulfill all or part of the service obligation because of the COVID-19 epidemic is excused from that portion of the obligation.

What other funding is available related to education?

Additional funding in the bill which is related to education includes the following:

$15.5 billion for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
$8.8 billion for Child Nutrition Programs
$3.5 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants
$750 million for early-education head start
$945 million to the National Institutes of Health
$75 million to the National Science Foundation

How are education organizations responding to the bill?

Both K-12 and higher education organizations believe this bill represents a good start; however, multiple unmet needs remain. A number of K-12 organizations had asked for $75 billion in the bill while the higher education sector had requested $50 billion. The provision of $30 billion falls well below this $125 billion desire. A particular need that has been identified is the lack of access to the internet for many students in their homes. It is thought that an additional $2 billion is needed to ensure that all students have devices and internet access to carry on with remote learning.

The education sector is also concerned about the impact of the virus on future state budgets. Since both K-12 and higher education rely on state funding, and as state budgets are starved, further challenges are likely to occur.

What’s next? A fourth COVID-19 response bill

Many members of Congress have already referenced the need for a fourth, and perhaps a fifth COVID-19 bill to address the impact of the epidemic as it continues to unfold. Education will most certainly be on the list for a continued infusion of funds. The Senate is in recess until April 20, and the House is likely to follow suit. However, both bodies could be called back into action if needed.

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