Laredo, TX – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $19,978,625 in federal funding to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This funding, established through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and awarded through the U.S. Department of Education: Education Stabilization Fund-Rethink K-12 Education Models Discretionary Grant Program, will support the development of resources for K-5 English learners in the areas of English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, and English as a second language (ESL).

“School districts in Texas are having to find new and inventive ways to adjust to learning obstacles set-forth by COVID-19,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Our state is currently in an extremely vulnerable state, as the beginning of the academic year is nearing, and thousands of Texans are still falling victim to coronavirus. We have over one million English learners in our state’s public education system and we need to ensure that they are properly prepared for success through virtual instruction. These funds will help TEA and school districts connect educators, parents and students with adequate resources, therefore enhancing the overall learning experience for the child.

“As a senior member on the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to funding programs that will increase a student’s access to quality education - especially as our local communities continue to battle the current health pandemic.”

As a senior member on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $30.7 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund established under the CARES Act; under Rethink K-12 Education Models Discretionary Grant Program, $180,662,496 was distributed to states struggling to meet educational challenges due to COVID-19.

Education Stabilization Fund-Rethink K12 Education Models Grants (ESF-REM Grants):

ESF-REM Grants provide support to State educational agencies (SEAs) in States with the highest coronavirus burden to address specific educational needs of students, their parents, and teachers in public and non-public elementary and secondary schools in accordance with section 18001(a)(3) of the CARES Act.

Texas Education Agency (TEA):

TEA proposes three grant activities that will invest in building statewide virtual courses, further ensuring student access, educator efficacy, and parent satisfaction. Grant activities include the following:

• Designing supplemental support for 1,100,000 English learners to access coursework
• Providing implementation support for educators and parents of English learners
• Providing professional development on progress-monitoring tools for teachers to ensure students access evidence-based instruction