Public Comment Urging LGTBQ+ Inclusive Data Collection on ARP/ESSER
GLSEN commended the U.S. Department of Education (USED) for its demonstrated commitment to intersectional equity inclusive of LGBTQ+ equity in its Covid-19 Handbooks and ARP/ESSER State Plan templates, while urging USED to revise its proposed data collection on states’ and other recipients’ uses of ARP/ESSER Covid relief funds to be LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Like ESSA, ARP/ESSER is a critical source of federal funds to advance equity and promote safe, affirming K-12 learning communities where all young people can thrive and reach their full potential (See 86 Federal Register §125).
Update: The U.S. Department of Education revised their data collection form to add identifying or addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ students, who are now listed among “underserved student groups” and “groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.