Congress has provided financial support through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund to support schools and districts in addressing the impact of COVID-19. Funds are allocated to each state in the same proportion as their Title I, Part A grants. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included $13 billion in ESSER funds. In December 2020, an additional $54 billion for ESSER II was allocated through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) authorized another $122 billion for ESSER III (also called “ARP ESSER”) in March 2021.
How Districts Can Use ESSER Funds
Districts can use their ESSER funds on any “activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.” Plus, ESSER II and III legislation specifies that funds can be used to address learning loss. Your ESSER funds can be used for:
- Assessments
- Identifying and addressing learning/academic gaps
- Instructional materials
- After school/extended day
- Summer learning
- Professional development
- Mental health services
- Software, hardware, connectivity
- Teacher pay
edInsight provides a suite of services that would be covered under any of the funding opportunities. We welcome you to reach out to learn how edInsight’s suite can help your school or district.