FR 2020-29235

In early 2021, the President of the United States issued Executive Order 13969, which aims to address educational hardships faced by children as a result of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This executive order highlights the need to offer educational opportunity solutions, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by using emergency learning scholarships. These scholarships are designed to help families without access to in-person learning by covering costs associated with private schooling, homeschooling, or special educational services.

General Summary of the Document

The executive order sets forth a plan for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make use of the Community Services Block Grant program. By doing so, it aims to provide emergency learning scholarships to families in need. It acknowledges the various challenges encountered during the pandemic, such as students falling behind due to school closures, and aims to bridge this gap by providing financial means to pursue alternative educational options.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The document raises several concerns. First and foremost, it lacks specificity on the allocation and amount of funds available for these scholarships. Without a transparent allocation process, there is a risk of oversight issues that could leave many potential recipients without aid. Furthermore, the criteria for eligibility are not clearly defined, potentially leading to ambiguity in distribution and a risk of favoritism.

Another concern is the absence of guidelines for overseeing the effectiveness of these scholarships, particularly when used for private or homeschooling options. The document does not provide a method for monitoring the implementation or ensuring that funds are used appropriately, which could lead to wasteful spending.

The language of the executive order, particularly regarding the application of funds and scholarship distribution, could be simplified to ensure that the general public can better understand it. Additionally, the order includes a provision stating it does not create enforceable legal rights, raising accountability concerns.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this executive order could affect many families, especially those struggling to find suitable educational opportunities during the pandemic. For the general public, it promises the potential of additional educational resources that could help remedy learning disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For low-income and minority families, the intended benefit is clear: the scholarships could provide much-needed resources to access quality education where the public system might have fallen short during the pandemic. Children with special needs might benefit immensely from the additional options for accessing necessary educational services and therapies that were hindered by school closures.

However, the absence of detailed implementation and transparency plans could negatively impact these same groups if the scholarships are not fairly and effectively distributed. Without measures to ensure oversight and accountability, there is a risk that these funds might not reach those who need them most or be underutilized.

In conclusion, while the executive order sets a commendable goal of expanding educational opportunities during a tumultuous time, its lack of detail and planning in execution could undermine its effectiveness and fair distribution. As stakeholders and citizens await its outcomes, it remains critical that the measures are implemented in a manner that truly reaches and benefits disadvantaged students.

The document titled "Expanding Educational Opportunity Through School Choice" outlines measures intended to address educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are significant financial references in this document which merit careful review.

One notable financial allocation mentioned is the more than $13 billion provided by the Federal Government to states and school districts. This funding is aimed at facilitating the safe resumption of in-person learning through the implementation of effective measures. This allocation reflects a substantial federal investment in overcoming the challenges posed by school closures, yet it raises questions about how effectively these funds are deployed, especially considering concerns about oversight and the equitable use of resources.

The document further references a study predicting that if in-person classes do not fully resume until January 2021, the average student may face a loss of $61,000 to $82,000 in lifetime earnings. Such economic loss underscores the potential long-term impact of educational disruptions on students' futures. This financial implication adds urgency to the need for effective intervention strategies and highlights the importance of resuming in-person education to mitigate these economic repercussions.

The executive order introduces a plan to use funds from the Community Services Block Grant program to provide emergency learning scholarships. While the intent is to empower disadvantaged families by offering scholarships for various educational expenses, such as tuition fees and homeschooling costs, the document does not specify the exact amount earmarked for this initiative. The absence of clear financial allocations could lead to oversight issues and raises concerns about how equitably resources will be distributed.

Another issue arises from the lack of specified criteria for determining eligibility for these scholarships. Without defined parameters, there is a risk of ambiguity or favoritism in how these funds are allocated. Additionally, the effectiveness and oversight of the use of these scholarships, especially in private and homeschooling contexts, remain unaddressed. This lack of clarity poses potential risks of inefficient or wasteful spending.

Overall, the document's financial references highlight significant investments and projected economic impacts related to educational disruptions. However, the absence of detailed financial plans, particularly concerning the allocation and administration of emergency scholarships, introduces potential challenges in ensuring fair and effective use of resources.