The Guam Department of Education has secured $54 million in reimbursements from the American Rescue Plan’s Outlying Area State Educational Administration fund, following approval by the U.S. Department of Education, officials announced Thursday.
According to GDOE, the reimbursement was approved after the department provided evidence showing schools implemented evidence-based strategies to address learning loss, including professional learning communities, collaborative teams, prioritized standards across courses, formative assessments, data analysis, targeted interventions and literacy integration throughout the curriculum.
The strategies were outlined in GDOE’s “7-Point Plan to Support Accelerated Learning” developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and later incorporated into the department’s five-year strategic plan. Superintendent of Education K. Erik Swanson credited Deputy of Curriculum and Instruction Joe Sanchez and his team, as well as school administrators, teachers and instructional staff, for implementing the plan across classrooms. Swanson said their work played a key role in reducing pandemic-related learning loss and keeping students academically on track.
Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Administrative Services Morgan Wade Borja Paul said securing the reimbursement for COVID-19-related payroll required a year-long effort that included federal approval of the learning loss strategy, a late liquidation request and auditor recognition of the draw as allowable. Paul also recognized ARP lead Cellini Higa for navigating the process. GDOE said it has developed a comprehensive spending plan to address its most immediate needs.