In a meeting with WCRIS earlier today (10/14), the DPI reported that the state’s ARP-EANS application is on hold while the U.S. Department of Education seeks clarification on several details.
The DPI provided clarification to the feds last Friday (10/1) and got confirmation Tuesday (10/5) that US DE received their response.
This comes after the DPI, with the help of WCRIS, submitted an application that proposed an eligibility threshold of 20% of poverty. The law requires a 40% threshold but allows states to propose alternatives.
The proposed increased threshold would allow more schools to qualify for ARP-EANS, if approved by the US DE.
Since the application deviates from the requirements set by USDE, it is being scrutinized by the feds. This was anticipated, and WCRIS counterparts across the nation are reporting the same thing.
So, there is nothing for private schools to do now except wait. WCRIS is working closely with DPI and will update you via Current Events as more information becomes available.
