It’s no secret that 2020 was an unusual year that changed the education landscape. Now that we’re well into 2021, educators across the country are wondering what K-12 education will look like in the post-COVID-19 era.
The Biden administration is resurrecting much-needed funding for programs to support schools and districts across the country. Biden’s plan includes increasing support and respect for educators, investing in social and emotional resources, and investing in all children from birth. What does this mean for educators and students? And how does the latest round of stimulus funding tie in?
Gaggle has joined forces with K20Connect and GradeCam to release a new funding report: Education in a Biden Administration. In the report, you’ll learn about the Biden administration’s promises for education, how they intend to fund these plans, and how each state and district must step up to support an equitable educational experience for all students.
Biden’s plan promises to invest in resources for our schools so students can grow into physically and emotionally healthy adults. This includes investing in school mental health professionals in order to double the number of psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers in schools so students can get the mental health care they need.
The plan also strives to ensure that no child’s future is determined by their zip code, parents’ income, race, or disability. This includes investing in schools to eliminate the funding gap between white and non-white districts as well as rich and poor districts, improving teacher diversity, and making sure children with disabilities have the support they need in order to succeed.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a priority for all districts as we return to schools. Many children have experienced great loss during the pandemic, which will impact their overall mental health and well-being. The focus on SEL funding—through grant funds and Title IV—will enable districts to provide the necessary mental health resources to support students in the short term. These funds will also allow educators to analyze the extent to which the services should continue going forward.
To learn more, download the Education in a Biden Administration report, authored by Dr. Kecia Ray and Susan Gentz from K20Connect, a consulting consortium of experts focused on education leadership, technology, and policy.