Many governors have prioritized strengthening online and remote learning in their states as they spend $3 billion in CARES Act education funding.
Some 36 governors have used CARES Act money to provide students with broadband while only 7 have spent funds on safety measures for reopening of schools, according to , an education think tank at Georgetown University, and nonprofit .
Alabama, for example, is equipping school buses with Wi-Fi routers while Montana is doing the same at local libraries.
Other states are using the funds to buy instructional technology.
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For example, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will provide his state’s districts with$50 million in grants to buylaptops, tablets, and Wi-Fi devices.
Teacher professional development in remote instruction and online learning curriculums are being funded in 35 states, including:
- Idaho has teamed up with public television to develop an online learning program.
- Massachusetts is expanding online Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment classes.
- Oklahoma is awarding grants to families for tutoring and online curriculum.
The analysis also found:
- Seven governors, including leaders in Montana and New Mexico, are spending funds on sanitization, cleaning and protective gear.
- 17 governors hope to close learning gaps through summer school and tutoring. All of California’s $355 million, for example, will go toward programs designed to reducer learning loss.
- Programs for students with disabilities are receiving funding in six states, including Arizona, Maryland and Texas.
- Social-emotional learning is a funding priority in eleven states. North Carolina is hiring more school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists while Connecticut is developing a statewide SEL framework.
- Governors in 12 states are funding out-of-school assistance. Florida is bolstering telehealth services while several other states are expanding meal programs.
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