The U.S. Department of Education (EDU) has unveiled a $47 million grant aimed at bolstering infrastructure within the nation's school systems. The initiative seeks to enhance school facilities, thereby creating conducive learning environments for all students.
In an EDU news release, it was revealed that U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made the announcement in Virginia. Present at the event were U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), a ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, and Virginia U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Approximately $37 million will be distributed over five years through the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program and a $10 million grant over five years under the National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) program.
"These new investments in modern, healthy, and sustainable school infrastructure reflect the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to both promoting student success and protecting our planet for generations to come," said Cardona. "Research has shown that modern, well-maintained facilities and healthy learning environments can help schools raise the bar by increasing student achievement, reducing absenteeism, and improving teacher retention. At the Department of Education, we're going to keep fighting to provide every student in every community with access to safe and healthy 21st-century schools that inspire learning, unleash imagination, and motivate children and youth to bring their best each day."
According to the news release, states that receive SASI funding will be able to support school districts identified as "high-need" in an effort to improve public school infrastructure data systems. The NCSI program plans to launch a national clearinghouse and technical assistance center that will amalgamate federal assets to improve public school facilities requiring infrastructure projects.
"Chronic neglect of America’s public schools has forced students and teachers across the country to learn and work in outdated and hazardous school buildings. Moreover, dilapidated and poorly ventilated school facilities pose significant health threats that make it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn," said Scott. "These new investments announced by the Education Department will help increase school districts' capacity to improve school infrastructure. It is far past time to improve public education infrastructure."
