States have spent less than half of ESSER funds
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States and school districts have to devote or allocate the remainder of their Elementary and Secondary University Crisis Reduction resources by 2024 or they will shed it. But, fewer than 50 percent the funds have been invested, and officials warning that any gains to get well understanding decline with the resources will have to be sustained.
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Supply url In recent years, the federal government has implemented a number of educational assistance programs to address the needs of students, families, and educators amid the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund was created to help states and districts to safely reopen and provide students with a high-quality education. Unfortunately, a recent report has revealed that U.S. states are only spending a fraction of their allocated ESSER funds.
According to the report, which was published by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, only 47% of ESSER funds had been spent as of May 2021. This is a shockingly low figure when considering that ESSER funds were initially distributed to states back in December of 2020. To make matters worse, a number of states have made virtually no progress in using the money. For example, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming have yet to spend any of the allocated ESSER funding.
If the ESSER funds are not spent in an expeditious manner, it could have dire consequences for K-12 education. Many states are facing budget deficits, making it difficult to properly fund the school systems, an issue that ESSER funds were designed to address. It is critical that these funds are put to use quickly in order to ensure that students receive the best possible educational experience.
Governments need to take swift action in properly distributing the remaining ESSER funds so that students can receive the help that they sorely need in this difficult time. Utilizing the money to fund vital resources, such as additional teachers and support staff, could go a long way in providing students with a quality education that will be necessary for them to reach their potential. It is the responsibility of state officials to take the initiative and use these funds for the greater good.
