Rep. Wenstrup Inquires About the Handling of Funds During the Pandemic
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Chair of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, is demanding answers from the Department of Education regarding the use of pandemic-era funds designated for addressing learning loss and reopening schools safely. Wenstrup expressed concerns about the efficacy of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program and how the funds were allocated. He cited evidence from the National Assessment of Educational Progress that shows a decline in students’ academic performance, including at Lebron James’ I Promise School in Ohio, where no eighth-grade students have passed the state’s math test in three years.
Wenstrup is seeking information on the use of ESSER funds by state and local education agencies and investigating reports of funds being spent on unrelated, non-academic programs or politically motivated projects. The press release from the House Oversight Committee stated that there are concerns that the funds were utilized to promote a leftist agenda instead of alleviating the harm caused to children due to COVID-19 school closures.
In previous subcommittee hearings, evidence was presented questioning the science behind prolonged school closures and the influence of political leaders, including teachers’ union head Randi Weingarten, on school reopening guidance. Determining if political activism played a role in the misuse of COVID-19 funds is crucial for addressing the academic well-being of children in the future.
Wenstrup emphasized the need for more information to assess the academic benefits of the ESSER program and ensure that funds were not wasted or misused. There are concerns that funds were expended on questionable programs and projects unrelated to academic success, including upgrades to sports facilities and promoting leftist ideology.
