WCRIS is working with the Department of Public Instruction on the state’s application to participate in the second round of EANS, now being called ARP-EANS (shorthand for the American Rescue Plan – Emergency Assistant for Non-public Schools).
The application is due from the Governor to the US Department of Education by September 9. State officials have said that Gov. Evers will apply.
Waiting until the last minute to apply actually makes sense, since it provides more time for the state to meet subsequent US DE compliance deadlines required under the federal law. For example, once the Governor applies, DPI has 30 days to make an application available to private schools to participate in the program.
To that end, WCRIS is working with DPI to create a school application process that complies with federal law and is as quick and easy as possible.
Round two EANS is similar to round one EANS except for:
- ARP-EANS does not allow reimbursements; and,
- It limits eligibility to private schools that enroll 40 percent of students in poverty or more, and schools that were “substantially impacted” by COVID. Poverty is defined as students who are at or below 185 percent of poverty. The law limits impact to five specific criteria.
These federal income limitations severely reduce the number of schools that will be served. Every state is struggling with these requirements. However, the law allows a governor to submit alternative income data to the US DE. But the data must be research-based.
WCRIS is working with its counterparts in other states, the Council for American Private Education in D.C., and the DPI to determine an alternative formula that would help more schools.
We will update you as this situation unfolds.
