Federal funds partially released

State leaders have announced the release of a portion of the federal funds due to Texas schools as a result of recent federal legislation. Of the three pots of money designated for schools, the $11.2 billion that is the subject of today’s announcement comes from the most recent COVID relief package – the American Relief Plan that was signed into law in March 2021.

In all, Texas has expected nearly $18 billion from the three relief packages that have passed since last March. The “ESSER I” funds — $1.3 billion — were used to supplant state funding, and school districts did not directly benefit from those funds. ESSER II designated $5.5 for Texas, and that funding remains unallocated. Of the $12.4 designated for Texas in ESSER III, $11.2 billion will be distributed to schools through a grant process, with appropriations based on Title I funding. Click here to see how much your district should get. TEA will retain 10% to provide additional assistance with "evidence-based practices for learning acceleration, summer enrichment, and after-school programming."

TEA has provided guidance for districts, and more is expected in the coming days.

TCTA is pleased that districts now have information to help inform their budget decisions and can work on developing programs to help mitigate the learning disruptions of the last year. We will continue to urge that the remaining funds be distributed to districts as quickly as possible.