Asked recently by the U.S. Education Department to identify the top issues facing students and schools in the wake of the pandemic, state education officials were remarkably consistent: There’s a strong need to expand learning opportunities and address students’ social and emotional needs, they wrote in plans they shared with the department for spending their share of federal COVID relief aid for education.

But a FutureEd analysis of the 39 state plans submitted to the department to date found that state education leaders are pursuing those goals in a variety of ways. (Hover over each state to see the specific proposals.)

The American Rescue Plan, the most recent of three congressional COVID relief packages, requires that at least 90 percent of the unprecedented $190 billion in federal education funding go to school districts and charter schools, and that state education authorities draft plans for spending their share of the funding — up to 10 percent of a state’s allocation — before receiving the final third of the money. The Education Department has approved seven plans so far.

Because the law mandates that states use some of their relief aid to address lost learning opportunities through expanded summer and extended day programming, every plan includes such initiatives. The state of Washington is working with the local parks and recreation departments to coordinate summer youth development programs. Oklahoma will work with Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs to enhance afterschool programs. Hawaii plans to help students navigate transitions into elementary, middle and high school, as well as college.

But many states are doing more to increase instructional time.

At least two dozen states are funding tutoring programs, the FutureEd analysis found. Arkansas is establishing a tutoring corps to connect organizations looking to support students’ academic needs with a bank of trained candidates; Kentucky is drafting guidance on effective tutoring programs and so-called vacation academies, small-group instructional opportunities during school breaks. North Dakota is making free tutoring for math, SAT and Advanced Placement preparation, and college applications available through the website Schoolhouse.world.

Read the full article about COVID-19 education relief funds by Brooke LePage and Phyllis W. Jordan at The 74.