ARP-funded initiatives support the safe reopening of schools and aim to reverse underlying inequities faced by students who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID.

Governors and lawmakers say they are returning masking decisions to parents and acting in the best interests of students' mental health.

Superintendents and entire states reacted quickly, adjusting masking rules for schools after the CDC said fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear them.

The COVID pandemic's threat to rising per-student-spending and climbing teacher salaries remains unclear, say researchers who compiled the NEA's annual school funding report.