Federal COVID-19 Response

The COVID-19 crisis has rapidly changed our daily lives. Around the country, schools and communities are grappling with how to ensure that students are safe and have access to vital services. Charter schools, which on average serve higher percentages of low-income students and students of color than do district-operated schools, have been especially proactive in serving the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. The National Alliance Federal team has advocated for the equitable treatment of charter schools in COVID-19 relief packages.

COVID-19 Relief Packages

H.R. 133 – Consolidated Appropriations Act: The Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law on December 27, 2020. It combines $900 billion in stimulus relief for the COVID-19 pandemic with a $1.4 trillion spending bill for the fiscal year (FY) 2021. The package includes $54 billion in relief for elementary and secondary education and an additional $4.1 billion in discretionary funding through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund. The bill also sustained funding for the Charter Schools Program (CSP) at $440 million for FY 2021. See how much your state will receive and read our statement.
H.R. 6094 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (COVID-19 Package #1): The initial COVID-19 relief package was signed into law on March 6, 2020. The package includes $8.3 billion in emergency funding for vaccine development, research, and supporting state and local health budgets.
H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act (COVID-19 Package #2): The second COVID-19 relief package was signed into law on March 18, 2020. This package includes $1 billion in nutritional aid, expands access to COVID-19 testing, and expands sick leave benefits.
H.R. 748 – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act (COVID-19 Package #3): The third COVID-19 relief package was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This package will provide $2 trillion in relief for impacted industries, a boost to unemployment insurance, and direct cash payments to many Americans. The bill includes a $30 billion Education Stabilization Fund, including $13.5 billion to state education agencies and local education agencies (LEAs) in formula funding and $3 billion in flexible formula funding for states to allocate as they see fit between K-12 and higher education. The National Alliance advocated for charter schools to receive equitable allocations in funding as well as access to all federal education waivers as public schools.
H.R. 1319 – American Rescue Plan Act (Reconciliation bill): The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This package provides nearly $123 billion in relief for K-12 education through the ESSER fund established by the CARES Act, with at least 90% of funds designated for subgrants to LEAs. This amount includes an $800 million reservation to identify and support students experiencing homelessness as well as other requirements for activities to address learning loss, summer enrichment activities, and afterschool programs. The legislation also includes critical funds for IDEA, Head Start programs, and connectivity and devices, and also requires state maintenance of effort and equity. The National Alliance advocated for equitable treatment of charter schools as public schools.

The National Alliance hosted a webinar on what the CARES Act means for charter schools with our partners at the Penn Hill Group. You can view the recording or presentation for more information.

On May 12, 2020, the National Alliance detailed the critical needs of K-12 students in future relief funding in a letter addressed to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and U.S. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The National Alliance continues to advocate for charter schools during the pandemic. For other resources for charter schools, see COVID-19 resources for Charter Schools. Please reach out with questions or to share resources with the charter school community.