Today, the Department of Education released a
back-to-school checklist
for parents and families. The checklist, part of the Department’s updated
back-to-school resource site, will help parents, caregivers, and families
engage with local school and district leaders about how they are supporting
students as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic. This checklist
elevates key evidence-based practices for supporting students’ learning and
mental health, and ensuring the safety of students and staff, which districts
are encouraged to implement using American Rescue Plan and other COVID relief
funds.
This back-to-school ARP checklist also recognizes 15
promising examples of how states and school districts across the country are
already using federal ARP funds to support students and to staff schools.
Through the ARP, the Biden-Harris Administration provided
states and school districts with $130 billion to help students recover,
succeed, and thrive. The checklist will serve as a resource for parents,
caregivers, and families to have an open dialogue with their school community
about these critical funds. To foster transparency and community engagement,
the ARP requires states, local districts, and public charter schools to have
meaningful stakeholder engagement and publicly post their planned use of ARP
dollars. This checklist can support those efforts.
“A new school year brings new beginnings, and today I am
encouraging schools and families to reach a new level of communication and
transparency to make sure our students and educators are getting the supports
they need,” said Secretary Miguel Cardona. “The checklist offers a starting
point for parents, caregivers, and families to have meaningful discussions with
school leaders about how they are supporting students, including with American
Rescue Plan funds. The checklist can kickstart conversations about the services
and supports that children can benefit from in this new academic year and
beyond.”
READ MORE: Back-to-school tips for parents and children
When President Biden took office, less than half of K-12
schools were open for in-person learning. Since then, with the help of ARP
dollars, schools have safely reopened with improved safety measures, programs
to help students grow academically, and new supports for students’ mental
health and other basic needs.
Secretary Cardona joined a press call with White House
officials, members of Congress, and local educators whose districts are among
those being featured in order to encourage parents and families to use this
checklist and discuss how the ARP is providing unprecedented resources for a
successful and safe school year.
The checklist is broken into four categories:
- Student learning
- Addressing the needs of
the whole child
- COVID-19 health and
safety
- Engaging families
The states and school districts being recognized for
their efforts utilizing ARP funds are:
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Puerto Rico
- Tennessee
- Aurora Public Schools in
Colorado
- Denver Public Schools in
Colorado
- Detroit Public Schools
in Michigan
- Gaston County Schools in
North Carolina
- Guilford County Schools
in North Carolina
- Houston Independent
School District in Texas
- Jefferson County Public
Schools in Kentucky
- New York City Department
of Education
- Saint Paul Public
Schools in Minnesota
- Santa Fe Public Schools
in New Mexico