ESSER III Grant Program

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, the third federal COVID-19 relief law, passed in March 2021, provides districtsÌýone-time fundsÌýthrough the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III grant program.

We are inviting our stakeholders to shareÌýideas and priorities for using the funds. Please know:

  • ÁùºÏ²Ê½á¹û½ñÆÚÌýis expected to receiveÌý$45 millionÌý¾±²ÔÌýESSERÌýIII funding.
  • ¹ó³Ü²Ô»å²õÌýmust be spent no later than Sept. 30, 2024.
  • Funds are intended to help sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

ÁùºÏ²Ê½á¹û½ñÆÚÌýmust use aÌýminimumÌýof 20%, or $9 million,Ìýto implement evidence-based interventions to address learning loss, for example:

  • Intensive small group instruction in reading and/or math to address significant skill gaps during the school day, after school and/or summer school
  • Professional learning for teachers on differentiating instruction and deepening content knowledge
  • Intervention materials for reading and math

Additional priority areas may include:

  • Outreach and Services for Special Populations
    • Professional development for staff to better serve English Learners; technology support for parents/guardians; etc.
    • Increase translation service available at schools to connect with families
  • Mental Health Services and Supports
    • Continuation of additional school-based mental health supports; etc.
    • Additional counselors, social workers, therapists
    • Access to community-based mental health services for students and families
  • Education Technology
    • Support for student instructional technology devices and platforms; etc.
    • Internet access
  • Preparedness and Response
    • PPE; hand sanitizer; improving indoor air quality; etc.
    • Addressing Long-term School Closure
    • Additional professional learning to support virtual instruction; etc.
  • Staffing Needs
    • Continuation of building substitutes; etc.

ÁùºÏ²Ê½á¹û½ñÆÚs must ensure that interventions respond to students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups, including major racial and ethnic groups; children from low-income families; children with disabilities; English learners; gender; migrant students; students experiencing homelessness; and children and youth in foster care.

ThoughtExchange

We are using a new online platform calledÌýÌýthat allows us to gather feedback from all stakeholders while also allowing our stakeholders to rate the feedback received.This online platform is designed to allow us to easily see common themes as well as differing opinions.

Our first use of this tool will be for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds.ÌýThis exchangeÌýwasÌýopen Monday, Nov. 29, through Friday, Dec. 17.

ÁùºÏ²Ê½á¹û½ñÆÚÌýwill use theÌýfeedback in discussions with focus groups to develop a spending plan for these stimulus funds. We are using this tool to ensure everyone has a chance to share perspectives and understand what is most important to our stakeholders.