The Key to Engaging Every Student: Building Greater Linkages Between National, State, and Local System Leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated how essential summer and after-school programs are for youth their families. Policymakers took note of the needs evidence base, prioritized stimulus funding to expand access accelerate learning. American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were quickly released schools through different mechanisms, initially prioritizing speed over infrastructure design. intended fuel robust school–community partnerships provide students who suffered from pandemic-related learning developmental setbacks with comprehensive, high-quality programming; yet timeline planning implementation often hindered progress toward that vision. This article discusses challenges scaling critical services, strategies states partners putting into place, opportunities strengthen relationships at national, state, regional or local level.