Detroit to invest chunk of COVID funds in learning

The US Detroit's public school system is investing much of its $1.3 billion in federal COVID-19 relief aid to improve learning for its students. Nationally, pandemic relief to schools totals $190 billion. High-poverty areas received the most per student, with Detroit getting the highest rate among big districts at more than $25,000 per student, followed by Philadelphia at $13,000 and Cleveland at more than $12,000.

The aid invested in academics includes millions for reducing class sizes, expanding internet access, and tutoring programs like one attended by Quandallis Perry-Fisher at Denby High School. About 1,500 Detroit students participate in that literacy program, which is run by Detroit-area nonprofit Beyond Basics. Detroit enrollment has plummeted from 164,000 students in 2003 to about 51,000 as the city's population dwindled. The Detroit district has announced a proposal that includes spending $700 million in pandemic funding by 2027 on new schools and revamping existing schools to address overcrowding. A final recommendation on how to spend the money will go before the Board of Education by June.