Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced the State of Maine will receive $43.79 million in grant funding from the Department of Education. The funding, which was allocated through the CARES Act, will support distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

“No matter the circumstances, we must meet students where they’re at and make sure they continue to receive the education they deserve—even during this time of social distancing and physical school closures,” said Pingree. “I’m glad to see this sizable grant come to our state, which will go a long way to support our students as they adjust to remote education. I hope this funding will be invested in the technology and tools that will help students during this time.”

The grant can be spent on a wide range of activities, including purchasing computers and hot spot devices for online learning; supporting the unique needs of underserved students, students with disabilities, and foster and homeless youth; training and professional development for educators; purchasing supplies for cleaning and sanitization; summer learning; and other activities to maintain access to education.

Pingree has been a staunch advocate of increased funding and support for Maine students during the coronavirus pandemic. She and Congressman Jared Golden (D-Maine) together wrote to the Federal Communication Commission, asking for additional funding for the E-Rate program, which would allow the purchase of mobile hotspots to support Maine students without access to high-speed broadband. As one of the most rural states in the country, Maine students are particularly impacted by the ‘homework gap’ that exists between children who have reliable internet access at home and those who do not.

Pingree has also joined Congressman Alan Lowenthal in asking the Department of Education to provide resources for remote special education, and she joined Congressman Jared Huffman in requesting full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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