Federal government latest news for schools

Here are some of the latest news and updates from the federal government that may be relevant to schools:

COVID-19 Relief Funding

• The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law in March 2021, providing $122 billion in funding for K-12 schools to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Schools can use these funds to support a range of activities, including improving ventilation systems, purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), and providing mental health services to students.
• The U.S. Department of Education has released guidance on how schools can use ARPA funds, including a FAQ document and a series of webinars.

ESSA Accountability

• The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to develop accountability systems to measure school performance and identify schools that need improvement. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance on ESSA accountability, including a memo on the use of student growth measures and a report on state accountability systems.
• The department has also released a new tool, the ESSA Accountability Tracker, which allows users to compare state accountability systems and track progress over time.

Title I Funding

• The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance on the use of Title I funds, which provide support to low-income schools. The guidance emphasizes the importance of using Title I funds to support evidence-based interventions and to address the needs of all students, not just those who are struggling.
• The department has also released a new tool, the Title I Funding Calculator, which helps schools estimate their Title I funding allocations.

Mental Health and Student Well-being

• The U.S. Department of Education has launched a new initiative, the National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, which aims to support schools in creating safe and supportive learning environments. The center will provide resources and technical assistance to help schools address issues such as bullying, harassment, and student mental health.
• The department has also released a new report, "Mental Health in Schools: A Review of the Literature," which summarizes the current state of research on mental health in schools and identifies best practices for supporting student mental health.

STEM Education

• The U.S. Department of Education has launched a new initiative, the STEM Education Act, which aims to support schools in providing high-quality STEM education to all students. The initiative will provide funding and resources to help schools develop STEM programs and to support teacher professional development in STEM subjects.
• The department has also released a new report, "STEM Education: A Review of the Literature," which summarizes the current state of research on STEM education and identifies best practices for supporting student learning in STEM subjects.

Other News and Updates

• The U.S. Department of Education has released a new report, "The Condition of Education 2022," which provides an overview of the state of education in the United States. The report includes data on topics such as student achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment.
• The department has also launched a new website, the Education Department's Data and Research website, which provides access to a wide range of education data and research reports.

I hope this information is helpful!