Navigating Federal Stimulus Funding
Background
Three stimulus packages have been passed since March of 2020 to aid schools in addressing learning loss as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and American Rescue Plan (ARP) total nearly $190 billion and will provide state and district leaders to allocate funds to address the academic disruption caused by the pandemic. Each stimulus package has specific spending provisions; for example, the CARES Act allows for funds to be used for the purchasing of educational technology that will aid in the interaction between students and the instructor. Click here to view the funding levels for the State and district produced by the U.S. Department of Education. Assurance Media, as a SMART dealer and educational technology specialist would like to help schools and school districts utilize federal funding to address learning loss with educational technology solutions.
Funding Snapshot
CARES Act
Deadline to Allocate Funds: September 30, 2022
Uses: Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment.
CRRSAA Act
Deadline to Allocate Funds: September 30, 2023
Uses: Providing principals and other school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools.
Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors.
Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities.
American Rescue Plan
Deadline to Allocate Funds: September 30, 2024
Uses: Providing principals and other school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools.
Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors.
Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities.
Solutions
Interactive Hybrid, Virtual, and Blended Learning
Smart Sensor - Air Quality Monitoring
Interactive displays from SMART are allowable uses for ESSER II and III because they allow students in the classroom and those learning remotely to have substantial interaction with the instructor and lesson materials. This lesson engagement is made possible through video conferencing, remote lesson delivery, screen sharing, and remote management capabilities. In addition to the interactive board's capabilities, SMART's learning suite allows teachers to create interactive lessons and activities specifically geared toward in-class and remote lesson delivery and collaboration.
The Halo Smart Sensor monitors the air quality in schools to ensure it is a safe environment for students, teachers, and staff. In addition to monitoring the air quality index, the sensor has audio analytic capabilities, chemicals sensors, and environmental sensors; this includes noise level detection and gunshot detection.
Schedule a Meeting
Review Federal Funding Allocation Options with an Account Manager