Cephas announces grants to ensure safe return to learning
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas August 7, 2020 | 5:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said several career and technical education schools in her 192nd legislative district will receive pandemic relief grants to help them implement safety plans for students and staff.
According to information from the Wolf administration, Continuity of Education and Equity Grants were awarded to the following schools:
- $39,724 to Overbrook High School.
- $27,651 to the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber.
- $29,250 tor Ad Prima Charter School.
- $19,000 West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School.
“These grants will help sustain crucial educational programs in our community, which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cephas said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of students, continuity of services and essential educational programs, which often lead to jobs right here in our community, sustaining the well-being of our district’s and state’s economy.”
The funding comes from the federal CARES Act and authorizes governors to determine the educational use of these relief funds. Continuity of Education and Equity Grants provide funding to support effective continuity of education programs such as summer and other expanded programming and industry credential assessments for students enrolled in career and technology centers negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation.
Grants for the schools in Cephas’ district are part of a $10.2 million package allocated to career and technical schools throughout the state. Schools will be able to access the funds in the next week.
The Department of Education said grants were calculated based on the allocation formula for federal Perkins CTC grants, which takes into account the population of students ages 5-17 and the percent of poverty within the same age group. In addition, the formula includes a factor to account for a local education agency’s overall student enrollment in career and technical education programs.
“Our schools have had to make extraordinary adjustments since the beginning of the COVID-19 health crisis,” Cephas said. “These grants offer the reassurance and resources needed to provide the children of our community a safe and quality education during this very difficult time.”