The city Department of Education has allocated $350 million in federal funding to combat educational damage wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, the Post has learned.
According to a budgeting memo issued last week, the money will support a range of initiatives from literacy programs to new arts offerings.
Every school in the nation’s largest public system will receive a minimum of $75,000 and a maximum of $600,000 to aid in “academic recovery” after the pandemic upended consecutive school years.
Each recipient must dedicate at least 20 percent of their award to pay for arts-related programs, according to the memo.
While the money cannot be used to hire new full-time teachers, the document states that schools can use it to finance additional class sessions and non-profit partnerships aimed at helping kids get back on track.
“This funding is available for expenses incurred September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022,” the memo reads. “Schools are encouraged to schedule funds and implement eligible programming as soon as possible.”
The money will also be used to pay teachers to systematically assess the academic standing of their students and address learning gaps.
Staffers can also tap into the funds to pay for learning materials, including software and books.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly asserted that remote learning negatively impacted student learning and is inherently inferior to classroom instruction.
Schools with higher populations of disadvantaged kids — including those in foster care and homeless students — will get more money, according to the memo.
“Funds must be used to help meet a wide range of needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic, including activities and interventions that respond to students’ academic, social and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups,” the document states.”
The DOE is leaning on funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to shore up operations ahead of the new school year.
Last month, the agency earmarked $12 million from the program to help schools practice social distancing.
