Education after COVID-19: Students Must Benefit from Federal Relief Funds Now. What's Next: Policy Recommendations from the George W. Bush Institute

It is clear that young people bore the brunt of the pandemic's impact. Disrupted learning, sometimes stretching for two years, forced many students off track and behind academically. Leaders are now faced an unprecedented need to make smart investments with federal relief funds in efforts that accelerate student learning. District leaders should move quickly and thoughtfully to effectively spend the $190 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant money to help students. This report offers the following policy recommendations from the George W. Bush Institute: (1) Focus on strategies that create more time for instruction; (2) Give decision-making power to those closest to students; (3) Invest in the educators needed to lead; (4) Strengthen governance to ensure strong implementation; and (5) Prepare for transparent decision-making and progress reporting.