Matt Robinson is the Policy Director for Digital Access and Equity at ExcelinEd.
Between each of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER I and II) and the American Rescue Plan, states have received an unprecedented amount of discretionary funding to support K-12, higher education, and workforce over the past year. This funding has the opportunity to lay the groundwork for closing opportunity gaps through sustainable education and workforce initiatives if it is allocated in a way that is focused on long-term, systemic improvements to college and career access. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for many states who have allocated funds towards one-time scholarships or short-term supports that sunset quickly.
Center on Reinventing Public Education and ExcelinEd partnered to develop an analysis highlighting eleven states who have used their GEER funds to create, improve, or revamp programs that are designed to be systemic improvements to college and career access. Each of the eleven states have designated funds that will outlast the pandemic and have the potential to close opportunity and access gaps in college and career pathways. These initiatives can be categorized into the following buckets:
As governors, legislators, and advocacy organizations consider how to distribute remaining funds, they should look to states that are thinking long-term, innovative, and systemic as worthy examples. Given the unprecedented nature of this funding, it is unlikely that states will see another windfall similar to GEER I, GEER II, and ARP in the near future. States should consider thinking beyond the immediate and invest in solutions that will address long-standing inequities in college and career opportunities and access.
