The new U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona released $912 million in COVID-19 relief funds for Puerto Rico's schools. The Trump administration had previously blocked aid from reaching Puerto Rico, limiting the island to $7.3 million from the CARES Act.

In a letter to Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, Cardona said, "The Department understands the urgency to access vital federal education funds to meet the needs of Puerto Rican students who are experiencing compounded trauma."

Puerto Rico will now receive a total of $392 million from the CARES Act funds for K–12 schools and higher education. An additional $522 million in fiscal 2019 funds includes Title I funding for disadvantaged students and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act grants.

Most of Puerto Rico's schools have been remote since the beginning of the pandemic, with some reopened for in-person learning in March 2021.

Education Week, March 23