$13.2 BILLION IN EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION
If you’re an educator, you know it’s graduation time and that summer break is finally here. But even as students graduate and everyone gets ready to enjoy their summer, there’s a looming question: what about the 2020-2021 school year?
Many governors, state legislators, school district officials, teachers, and parents are worried that state and local funding for education will be cut due to coronavirus (COVID-19). NPR provided details that as education receives more than half its funding from state budgets, but declining income and sales tax revenues means that some states will have a budget gap that may eclipse that felt from the Great Recession. Colorado alone is looking at 3 billion dollars in total budget decline.
Many schools and school districts are still unsure what the school year brings next year, especially with the potential for a spike in new coronavirus cases this fall. So far, schools are looking at a wide range of options, including opening for in-person learning, opening early (before fall), moving completely to online learning, and even canceling classes.
But it’s not time to panic yet.
Recently, Betsy DeVos (Secretary of Education) announced in a press release that at least $13.2 billion is now available to education agencies supporting students K-12. In the press release, the Department of Education indicated, “Education leaders will have the flexibility to use funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) for immediate needs, such as tools and resources for distance education, ensuring student health and safety, and developing and implementing plans for the next school year.”
From the same press release, the Department hopes to streamline the process and cut red tape that could delay funding. State education agencies “(SEAs) have until July 1, 2020, to apply for ESSER funds by submitting a simple signed Certification and Agreement form to ESSERF@ed.gov. The Department intends to process each submitted form within three business days of receipt.”
Get more details and learn how to apply.
CARES ACT FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
As the U.S. still struggles with issues related to COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus), help is coming from the government.
Many people know about aspects of the CARES Act that help individuals and businesses, but did you know the CARES Act also assists state, local, and tribal government agencies? There are various restrictions and time limits. And there are instances where the U.S. government (such as the Treasury) approves or weighs in.
Experience working with government
At DHE, we have years of experience working with government, getting them the technology they need.
YES, WE HAVE CHROMEBOOKS
It’s a sign of the times. Just about daily we see questions from panicked IT personnel asking who has Chromebooks and whether they’re available for this fall (2020 – 2021).
For DHE, the answer is: we do and yes. We have Chromebooks and we can ship them quickly, before your fall semester starts.
Here are a few other FAQ and answers regarding Chromebooks.
Does my school district already have a contract with DHE?
Maybe! We’ve already been working with a number of schools and are covered by a variety of contracts that make it easier to do business with us. See our contracts page for details.
How many school districts are you supporting?
A bunch throughout the U.S.! We’re supporting more than 600,000 students (and schools and school districts). Just to name some local schools, we’re supporting Denver Public Schools, Jeffco County and Douglas County. Just this week, we sent Chromebooks to the East Coast.
We want to help schools improve education and are working hard to ensure we have inventory.
Why should we choose DHE?
Lots of reasons.
We’ve been in business more than 30 years. In the computer world, that’s rare.
We’re known for great customer service. (The way most people hear about us right now is through referrals.) We often make the impossible happen because we care so deeply. See our customer reviews if you’re curious.
Along with that, we add imaging, enrollment, deployment, testing, and other red carpet services. Our goal is to make it easier on IT people, teachers, and students. (We know there’s a lot happening right now.)
We have a variety of stock. It’s because we’ve been working with well-known brands for 30+ years.
Lastly, we have affordable pricing. We even have specials for educators in Arizona.
There’s no obligation and our sales personnel can help you quickly. it’s just that easy.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON GOVERNMENT
COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) has impacted everyone, in many areas. Government agencies have been affected, which further impacts people. Learn more about the limitations and what to expect. Here are a few statistics to show how dire things are.
As of May 2020 the unemployment rate is 13.3% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ohio (as an example) had a $200 million budget surplus in February 2020. “By the end of April, there was a $777 million hole, a nearly $1 billion swing in two months,” indicated the New York Times.
State and local governments, says the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) spend 90% of budgets on K-12 education.
Also according to the CFR, state pensions have fallen to the lowest point in three decades. In fact, Illinois is so badly in the hole on funding state pensions, they’re barely — indicated by the New York Times — above a junk bond credit rating.
So what can state and local governments do?
In fact, state and local government agencies are struggling so much, they’re looking for ways to save money. DHE has a few ideas.
Leverage the CARES Act. Some state and local government have already rushed to get money and gotten approval, such as Portland, Oregon.
Find ways to save money while increasing efficiency and effectiveness, including using products and solutions — such as DHE — that are affordable. For example, many K-12 organizations are using Chromebooks as an easy way to improve online learning at an affordable rate.
Carefully manage cutbacks. Like businesses are doing, maybe ask employees who can or wants to volunteer to be furloughed.
SCHOOL: ONLINE LEARNING, HYBRID, OR IN THE CLASSROOM?
It’s July and schools are starting to announce plans for next year. It’s understandable they’ve deployed announcing plans as COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) cases continue to climb across many parts of the U.S. School staff are weighing their options, including the consequences for teachers, administrative staff, students, and families for learning online, requiring kids go back to school, or a hybrid of both.
Also adding to the complexity of what schools — government requirements. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) may hold or deport non-U.S. citizens here taking online classes. This push from ICE impacts higher learning institutions who have people from all over the world attending their colleges and universities. Protecting those international students may force colleges and universities to re-open rather than going online; otherwise, students may be forced to transfer to stay in the U.S.
No matter what decision education institution staff reach, DHE Computer Systems, LLC is here to help.
Online learning
If your school or school district is considering staying home for the 2020-2021 school year, you may be worried about children using laptops. In fact, online we’ve seen teachers asking for laptops for their students. Many school districts are providing those laptops, cheaply, using Chromebooks. Chromebooks, starting at a little under $100, have a lot of computer power, have use the Google OS, and often have cameras built in.
Still, there’s the matter of distribution of devices, ensuring the same OS is available, enabling the ability to patch and install devices remotely, and more.
Here’s our short-list of what we recommend for engaging online learners while protecting investments:
- Laptops
- Cases
- Warranties
- Touch-screen displays for younger learners, such as those under age 7
- Webcams
If your school district is behind in ordering technology, don’t fret. DHE still has supplies that can help.
Going back to the classroom
In some places across the U.S., the virus is retreating or was barely noticeable. In other places, school boards have deemed that though the virus is raging on impacting public health, the economic impact or impact on children’s mental health is too great. Or, as above, colleges and universities want to protect international students from being held or deported.
Regardless of the scenario, some students are going back to school.
Students going back still have lots of options to improve learning while keeping safe.
LAPTOPS
Even those heading back into the classroom need flexible devices, such as 2-in-one laptops .. including Chromebooks and Surfaces.
And often it comes down to school district agreements or support concerns.
We always recommend cases if laptops are going home with children. It protects the device and the school’s investment.
DESKTOPS, MONITORS, AND DOCKING STATIONS FOR YOUR LABS
Schools these days have high-tech learning areas where kids are taught programming, advanced graphic design, and other skills needed in the 21st century job market. Although labs typically apply to colleges and universities, many high schools, middle schools, and even elementary schools see this as a competitive advantage.
CARTS TO KILL VIRUSES, INCLUDING COVID-19
Sanitation carts to sterilize devices killing 99% of all germs, bacteria, and viruses … including COVID-19. When it comes to education technology, everyone in the office is most excited about this because it helps to protect the students going back to school. In fact, we want — true story — for our office. AnywhereCart and LocknCharge make two great devices for different needs.
AnywhereCart AC-CLEAN can handle multiple devices — about a classroom size — and remove viruses in less than 15 minutes. LocknCharge’s UVone is great for single devices, one at a time, killing viruses in about 30 seconds.
SECURITY DEVICES TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND PROPERTY
A sad reality is that many schools require security devices to reduce crime. When students come back into the classroom, it’s necessary to keep an eye on things to protect them. There are a range of devices out there that can help. (Yes, DHE sells a good number of them.)
PROJECTORS, TVS, AND INTERACTIVE DEVICES
Projectors have come a long way! So has learning.
Most schools use TVs for television programs that spark the imagination while teaching (such as Big Blue Planet) or even YouTube where Schoolhouse Rock lives now. Some middle schools and high schools have programs created by students, including their own news to show. And even elementary schools have morning announcements not over a speaker, but over either the Internet or televisions.
Hybrid model of education
From a technology standpoint, this means you should have things to engage your at-home, online learners and those in the classroom. That means you’ll need everything above. It’s especially important if you have kids sharing devices to include a cart with nearly every room.
Although we enable parents to buy gear for their children, we work mostly with schools and school districts. We also provide bulk discounts. Let us know how we can help you. At DHE, we think education is a priority, which is why we prioritize schools getting the technology they need.
