Seven Questions to Ask about Leveraging American Rescue Plan Funds

One year ago, Congress passed and the U.S. Department of Education released the first tranche of the $122 billion in relief funding for education as part the American Rescue Plan (ARP). By January 18, the U.S. Department of Education had approved each state plan. While this marked an important milestone, it is not the last. Leveraging their power to convene and to question, state boards of education can play a key role in taking stock as their state plans unfold.

Even the best-laid plans do not always play out as expected. Given that the summer months and the 2022–23 school year are just ahead, the timing is right to examine whether plans need revision or approaches should be modified. In that spirit, these seven questions can help frame ongoing conversations in states to discern the impact of this unprecedented outlay of funds. …