Governor Whitmer Announces $65 Million in CARES Act Funding for Michigan Schools

whitmer0819
whitmer0819

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that she will allocate nearly $65 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act dollars to Michigan school districts, higher education institutions, and other education-related entities.

“This funding will go to Michigan school districts and other education-related entities that have been hit most significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Whitmer. “This includes Michigan school districts that predominantly serve economically-disadvantaged students. It will help address the digital divide that has served as a barrier to remote learning for students and educators across the state.”

The funding comes from the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Recipient districts will be required to use GEER funds for any of the following goals:
• Connectivity: Devices, internet access, access to remote services, or other similar purposes.
• Student Mental Health: Funding would enhance access to remote and in-person student mental health services.
• Addressing Learning Loss: Funding could be used by districts to offer supplementary content and intervention services to mitigate the impacts of learning loss.
• Out-of-School-Time Learning: Funds could be used to support out-of-school-time learning. These expenditures would ensure students have safe spaces to participate in remote education.
• Remote Learning Materials and Training (digital and non-digital): Funds could address both digital and non-digital content where remote learning continues as an instructional delivery model.
• Teacher Training and Curriculum: Funding could be used to provide additional professional development and curriculum modifications that allow districts to effectively facilitate distance learning while expanding their knowledge of the science of teaching.
• Other health, safety, and wellness needs identified, required, or recommended in the MI Return to School Roadmap.