Education

Betsy DeVos Hands Out $175 Million To Educate Kids Displaced By Hurricane Harvey

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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced nearly $175 million in federal assistance Tuesday that will help educate students displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

“The impact of natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires goes beyond the disaster area. The effects are felt nationwide, especially in those communities that take in displaced students and families,” U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a statement, announcing $174,242,375 in aid for Texas. “This additional funding will ensure schools serving displaced students are able to meet their unique needs under such difficult circumstances.”

The aid is part of the Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students program (Emergency Impact Aid).

“I am grateful for the leadership of Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education in providing federal support to our students and schools in their time of need,” Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted Tuesday.

Hurricane Harvey hit Texas on Aug. 25, 2017, and caused roughly $125 billion in damage. The Category 4 hurricane ranks as the second-most costly hurricane behind Hurricane Katrina to hit the U.S. mainland since 1900.

Harvey destroyed or damaged nearly 135,000 homes and wrecked about a million cars. Eighty-eight people were killed.

Hurricane Harvey also broke almost every rainfall record for U.S. multi-day storms.

Displaced English learners will receive $9,000 annually under the aid program, while displaced students with disabilities will receive $10,000 for their eduction. Students who fall in neither category will receive $8,500 per year for their education.

Nineteen other states and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive money through the aid program as well.

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