Valley schools receive virus-related grants
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Multiple schools in the Mon Valley have been awarded COVID-19 Continuity of Education and Equity Grants from the state Department of Education.
The agency has allocated up to $5 million in state funding for equity grants for schools to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or to use toward providing instructional materials, such as paper lessons and coursework.
Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources will be given priority in receiving the grants, according to PDE.
State Rep. Austin Davis on Friday said two technical centers, an intermediate unit and a local school district in his legislative district were awarded a combined total of $239,838 in education funding.
Davis said the McKeesport Area Technology Center was allotted $35,477 and the Steel Center for Career and Technical Education in Jefferson Hills was awarded $117,361.
The funding is earmarked to assist the centers in implementing public health and safety plans and to help resume operations, the state representative from McKeesport said.
Davis said the Continuity of Education and Equity Grants provide funding to support effective continuity of education programs such as summer and other expanded programming and industry credential assessments for students enrolled in CTCs negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
“Given the numerous obstacles COVID-19 has placed on those committed to advancing their education and careers, it is important to provide funding so that the hardworking individuals from the Mon Valley can continue to pursue their dreams,” he said. “The funding awarded today will definitely help bring their dreams a step closer to reality.”
CEEG grants are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all learners by bridging the gap for students who are currently limited in their ability to participate in continuity of education, Davis said.
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