Department of Education Approves Wyoming’s American Rescue Plan

The U.S. Department of Education on Friday announced the approval of Wyoming’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief  plan and distributed remaining ARP ESSER funds to the state. Wyoming’s plan details how the state is using and plans to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, the Department distributed two-thirds of the ARP ESSER funds, totaling $81 billion, to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining third of the funding to states will be made available once state plans are approved. Wyoming is receiving more than $303 million total in ARP ESSER funds, and Friday’s  approval of their plan will result in the release of the final $101 million. Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said Wyoming is anxious to fund and implement transformational educational initiatives that narrow learning gaps and extend learning opportunities.

The ARP ESSER state plans approved by the Department Friday, including Wyoming, show how states are using federal pandemic resources to support safe, in-person instruction and meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students—with a focus on the students most impacted by the pandemic.