NAESP Statement on Passage of the American Rescue Plan

Alexandria, VA—March 10, 2021—“On behalf of elementary and middle school principals from across the country, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) applauds the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which includes more than $125 billion in direct support for K-12 schools. The federal government has stepped up in a big way: This package is an extraordinary commitment to support America’s K-12 schools at their most perilous moment.

These resources will help principals respond to the many pressing issues they are facing, including:

• Reopening and keeping open schools;
• Reconfiguring school spaces to meet social distancing guidelines;
• Responding to increased staffing needs;
• Boosting high-quality professional development for staff;
• Ensuring reliable home internet access for students;
• Addressing student learning loss; and
• Bolstering mental health and trauma sensitivity supports for students.

The coronavirus pandemic has shone a bright light on the homework gap experienced by the 16 million students in this country who do not have internet access at home, so NAESP appreciates the $7 billion in E-Rate funding also included in this bill.

Since last spring when the pandemic caused the closures of more than 124,000 K-12 schools, NAESP has urged a federal response that matches the gravity of the moment and positions schools to confront this crisis head on. The $125 billion included in the American Rescue Plan, on top of $67 billion previously provided in direct K-12 aid, amounts to a more than $190 billion federal response to K-12 schools.

NAESP encourages the U.S. Department of Education to get these funds to states expeditiously to ensure resources go where they are needed the most during this time of extraordinary turmoil: in schools. NAESP looks forward to continue to work with members of both parties to provide ongoing K-12 federal support in the coming months as the needs on the ground continue to evolve.”