Today, President Biden released a new, six-pronged plan to fight COVID-19 and boost vaccination rates across the United States. The plan, which includes rules to make in-person learning safer, calls on schools in areas with community spread of COVID-19 to implement regular testing programs for unvaccinated students and staff. The Department of Education (DOE) also announced a new grant program, Project SAFE, that will provide funding for schools that have had funds withheld by the state or that were otherwise penalized for implementing COVID-19 prevention strategies authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“While this new guidance and support from the federal government is promising, it is just a start,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “The added pressures and responsibilities of carrying out more robust testing and screening programs will fall on the shoulders of principals, assistant principals, and other administrators. This is intensified by a growing number of threats being made against school leaders for simply implementing safety measures to protect their communities. The federal government must step up and provide more resources and support for school leaders and districts.”

NASSP applauds the Biden Administration and the DOE for releasing these rules, and also calls on the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the resources and support necessary for schools and districts to implement these more robust testing and screening programs. External support is critical for schools and districts to succeed in this moment.

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About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of middle level and high school principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.