With over $200 billion in federal relief aid for K–12 education, system leaders must carefully consider how to invest in staff, ensure sustainability, plan for change, and allocate funds equitably to support students who face the highest barriers to learning.
This series of policy briefs offers guidance on using relief funds to create more equitable learning opportunities.
Strategic Investments of One-Time Funds for Tribal Governments
By Dr. Niki Sandoval, Edith Gurrola, Reginald Ferrell, and Trang Hoang
Provides insights from Tribal leaders who offer strategies for directing one-time federal funds to improve educational outcomes and strengthen infrastructure for the 574 federally recognized Tribes in the United States.
Meeting the Moment: How Education Leaders Can Maximize Federal COVID Relief Aid to Support More Equitable Student Learning
By Jason Willis, Kelsey Krausen, and Patrick McClellan
Highlights the scale of federal relief aid for K–12 education, outlines the opportunities and challenges it presents, and provides strategies for using the funds to accelerate student learning and support both immediate and long-term student well-being.
Adapting a Cardinal Rule of Finance: Five Strategies for Using One-Time Federal Funding on School Staffing
By Dana Chambers, Kelsey Krausen, and Jason Willis
Provides strategies for using federal aid to invest in school staff, with the potential to also support long-term solutions that strengthen the educator and support staff pathway, addressing ongoing shortages.
Three Strategies for Investing One-Time Federal Relief Aid to Make a Lasting Difference: Sustainable Financing of Education Innovations
By Jason Willis, Kelsey Krausen, and Patrick McClellan
Provides an overview of three strategies for planning for sustainability and long-term improvements when investing one-time federal funds.
Following Through: 5 Strategies for Getting Federal Relief Aid to Students Who Need It Most
By Kelsey Krausen, John Diaz, Jason Willis, and Cosette Lias
Outlines five strategies that state and local education agency leaders can use to ensure that federal aid is allocated equitably at the school level based on need, ensuring that students who face the highest barriers to learning during the pandemic receive additional support.
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WestEd works with state, regional, and school district leaders to create more effective and equitable education systems. Learn more about Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning at WestEd.