INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana public schools will be able to apply for grants from the $61.6 million the state is providing to improve remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced pre-kindergarten through grade 12 schools and higher education institutions can apply for the needs-based, competitive funding from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief, which is provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as CARES.
The grant is designed to meet the technology needs of schools and help with educator development while reducing the disparities among districts.
Schools across the state closed and switched to remote learning when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state in March. As businesses and other activities have reopened, schools are beginning to prepare for in-person classes when then new academic year begins. But they are also preparing for remote learning should there be a new surge in COVID-19 cases.
“Teachers, administrators and superintendents have faced this pandemic with innovative solutions to ensure our students continue to receive the best education possible,” Holcomb said.
The state expects to award dozens of grants through the collaboration of the governor’s office, Indiana Department of Education, Commission for Higher Education and Indiana State Board of Education. While there is no minimum or maximum threshold, grants may not be funded at the full amount requested.
The deadline for applications is July 17, giving school corporations and institutions more than three weeks to decide what their schools need moving forward.
The funding will focus on three key areas to improve remote learning — device availability, connectivity and educator capacity.
With funding from this grant, schools will be able to purchase more digital learning devices that they previously needed. The money can also be used to look into solutions for internet connectivity, which was a major concern in the spring when the pandemic forced schools to switch to online learning.
Hoosier educators were just as new to distance learning as the students, so the grant could also help support partnerships between higher education and the pre-kindergarten through grade 12 schools to develop professional development and curriculum opportunities.
The schools eligible to apply for the grants include traditional public school corporations, public charter schools, accredited non-public schools, higher education institutions and other education-related entities.
