The government is spending $900 million on eco-friendly school buses to help kids breathe cleaner air.
Biden Administration’s $900M Green School Bus Initiative
The Biden administration announced a $900 million plan to fund “green” school buses nationwide despite ongoing educational challenges. The EPA stated that schools in 47 states will benefit from this effort to combat climate change, according to the report of The Daily Signal.
This funding comes as American students face declining academic performance due to COVID-19 disruptions. A 2022 review found only 31% of eighth graders were proficient in reading, down from 2019.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted the benefits of the funding, stating it aims to improve children’s health and air quality while boosting American manufacturing.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support for electric school buses, part of the broader $1 trillion climate agenda to reduce emissions across various sectors.
Despite the environmental benefits many school districts are struggling academically. Prince George’s County in Maryland will receive over $5 million for 15 green buses, yet only 21% of its third graders were proficient in math in 2023.
Environmental Gains Amidst Philadelphia and Bridgeport’s Academic Struggles
Philadelphia’s school district will get over $8.5 million for green buses, but only 15% of its middle school students are proficient in math, with similarly low reading proficiency.
Bridgeport, Connecticut, will use over $8.5 million for 25 green buses, though less than 16% of its students met reading standards and only 7% met math standards in the 2022-2023 school year.