Texas to invest US$123.3 million in education
TEXAS – Texas will invest an additional US$123.3 million in federal funds to support education, which among other things would include funding for supplemental special education services, scholarships, infrastructure modernization and transportation optimization.
According to the Texas government, the final allocation of Emergency Education Relief funds comes to the state through the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).
That distribution brings total support to more than US$362 million in GEER funding for higher education through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and US$67.5 million for public education since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“The State of Texas remains committed to students and their success in our education systems – that includes ensuring parents have the option to send their children to a high-quality charter school and providing direct support to families with children who have special needs,” said Governor Abbott.
The US$123.3 million earmarked for education, includes: US$20 million to increase funding for the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program, which provides money directly to families and connects eligible students with severe cognitive disabilities with additional support for the services they need.
In addition, US$10 million will be allocated for charter school incubator and replication grants to expand the number of high-quality schools available to Texas students.
On the other hand, US$25 million will be to support Texas nurses through loan repayment, financial aid for nursing students and to accelerate innovation in nursing education.
Also, US$17.5 million will be to expand short-term workforce-aligned credentials for high-need areas, including digital skills, data analytics and programs for frontline health care workers.
Another US$30.3 million will go to student success initiatives to improve enrollment, retention and completion of student credentials, including technology applications to strengthen youth advising.
Also contemplated is US$12.5 million to continue strategic investments in student financial aid programs, including transfer scholarships and the Texas Leadership Scholarship Program. While US$5 million will be to support ongoing work to modernize the state’s education and workforce data infrastructure, as well as improve cybersecurity.
In addition to the above, US$3 million will be allocated for commercial driver’s license (CDL) training and reimbursement to improve transportation and supply chain.
Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff