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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    This page was updated on August 6, 2021

    About the Plan

    In March 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) disbursed the first two thirds of each state's American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) allocation.

    To receive the remaining third of its ARP ESSER allocation, and to comply with the terms and conditions of ARP ESSER funds disbursed in March, each state education agency is required to develop and submit an ARP ESSER plan that includes a description of the current education needs in the state, the intended uses of the funds, and plans for supporting school entities in their planning for and use of federal ARP ESSER funds.

    From July 1 to 7, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) offered a public comment period on its draft ARP ESSER Plan.

    Comments received during this period, together with other stakeholder feedback, were considered in the finalization of Pennsylvania's ARP ESSER Plan. Additionally, PDE leadership provided a public briefing on Plan components during the July 14, 2021, meeting of the State Board of Education.

    PDE submitted its ARP ESSER Plan to USDE on July 16, 2021.

    USDE approved PDE’s ARP ESSER State Plan on August 5. The approval letter from USDE (PDF). Approval of the plan released the remaining $1.6 billion in Pennsylvania’s federal ARP ESSER funding.