Serine
The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) has confirmed that the U.S. Department of Education has reinstated COVID-19 relief funds that were previously withdrawn in March, allowing the state to recover $22.6 million earmarked for addressing learning loss.
Federal Reinstatement of Education Funds
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education implemented a policy—dated March 28, 2025—that revoked previously granted extensions on COVID-related education grants.
However, after concerns were raised about the fairness and consistency of this decision, the Department reversed its stance on June 26, allowing non-plaintiff states, including Kansas, to resume reimbursement requests under the original terms.
This development follows legal pressure led by New York, which challenged the early cancellation of pandemic funding that was originally set to remain active for several more months.
Impact on Kansas Schools
According to Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson, the reinstatement marks a significant victory for the state’s students.
“This is a win for all Kansas students,” said Watson. “I’m deeply grateful to our Kansas delegation for supporting efforts to restore these essential funds.”
The restored Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding will allow Kansas to reactivate multiple statewide programs that had been paused due to the funding freeze.
Programs Set to Resume
With the $22.6 million back on the table, the KSDE plans to restart key education initiatives, including:
- Statewide Math and Literacy Training
- Assessment Assistance to enhance school progress tracking and targeted interventions
- Coordinated Classroom Support to help schools effectively use high-quality instructional materials
These initiatives are central to Kansas’ strategy to mitigate learning setbacks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and improve overall student achievement.
Restoring Equity in Funding
The federal reversal aims to treat all states equally, regardless of their involvement in legal challenges, ensuring that vital pandemic recovery efforts are fairly funded across the country.
Kansas officials had expressed concern that the original policy disadvantaged states that did not join lawsuits but still relied heavily on remaining COVID relief funds to meet educational needs.
The reinstatement of $22.6 million in COVID-related education funding is a major step forward for Kansas schools, enabling the resumption of essential programs that support literacy, math, and classroom instruction.
With federal backing restored, Kansas is now well-positioned to continue addressing the educational challenges left in the wake of the pandemic.