Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics at the Boston University, retweeted an article by Matt Barnum on the US Congress has approved a massive infusion of funds for schools and high-poverty districts, included as part of the pandemic relief package that includes $128bn for K-12 education and billions for state governments.

This is expected to lead to a dramatic reversal in fortune with some school districts going from fearing budget cuts to being cash-rich.

The funds, which are part of the American Rescue Plan for COVID recovery, are expected to become law later this week.

Experts had earlier predicted that the COVID-induced economic dip would threaten the US’s disadvantaged schools the most.

However, the new money amounts to approximately $2,500 per student across the nation, although high-poverty districts will see more.

Cleveland’s school district, for instance, where a majority of students come from low-income households, will be allocated approximately $8,000 per student, on top of the $4,500 per student it has already received as part of the pandemic relief.

The education funds are being seen as the biggest single federal plan for K-12 education in US history and are expected to be used by October 2023.

Districts have been advised on using at least 20% of the money to fix learning loss, while the rest can be used for anything related to COVID safety kits such as masks, retaining teachers, and building after-school programs.