Using COVID Relief Funding to Address the Nation’s Teacher Shortage
Earlier this year, President Bident signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act, which included more than $125 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. These funds are being used by state educational agencies and school districts to reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.
In response, AACTE created a Toolkit to help educator preparation programs collaborate with their local partner districts to allocate the ARP ESSER funds towards strengthening the educator workforce by supporting residency models, grow-your-own programs, and other innovative approaches to develop a pathway into teaching.
AACTE has heard anecdotal examples of these partnerships but would appreciate hearing about your experiences. Please take a moment to complete this short survey that will help inform AACTE’s advocacy work.
We plan to elevate your successful approaches to creating a pathway into teaching when we speak to members of Congress, Department of Education officials and other policy makers. Further, your experiences will support other AACTE members who are seeking to partner with their LEAs to address the teacher shortage by using of ESSER funds.
Thank you for your time. Please contact me at mrose@aacte.org, if you have any questions or would like additional information about the ESSER Toolkit or AACTE’s advocacy work.
Tags: advocacy, federal issues, funding, policy
