ESSER III
The American Rescue Plan signed into law in March by President Joe Biden included $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for school districts across the country, which is the single largest investment in federal elementary and secondary education in the nation’s history.
Texas is eligible for over $12.4 billion. Funds will be distributed to states based on the share of funding they receive under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is used to allocate federal education funding to students from low-income backgrounds. Once states receive the money, they must distribute at least 90% of funds to districts based on how much the district receives from Title I.
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the ESSER III funds:
Texas is eligible for over $12.4 billion. Funds will be distributed to states based on the share of funding they receive under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is used to allocate federal education funding to students from low-income backgrounds. Once states receive the money, they must distribute at least 90% of funds to districts based on how much the district receives from Title I.
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the ESSER III funds:
Stakeholder Survey and Results
Canton ISD Safe Return to In-Person Instructional & Continuity of Services Plan
ESSER III Program Budget & Support
Allowable Uses of ESSER Funds
While keeping in mind the purpose and requirements under ESSER III related to accelerating student learning, TEA strongly encourages school systems to plan for how to use these one-time federal funds expeditiously over the entire covered period to facilitate a more comprehensive long-term approach to learning acceleration. This may include aligned strategies that are currently part of a district’s current plans and strategies. A qualitative review of draft local learning acceleration plans revealed the following trends and suggestions, including but not limited to:
- Professional Development: comprehensive Reading Academies, high-quality instructional materials, dyslexia training, professional development stipends, technology integration training;
- Extended Instructional Time: extended day, extended year, high-dosage tutoring, summer learning;
- Staffing: tutors, reduced class sizes, small group instruction, staff retention and recruitment incentive pay, after school enrichment programs, instructional coaching and leadership;
- Facilities: ventilation, cleaning, HVAC systems, specialized instructional spaces;
- Technology: devices, infrastructure upgrades, learning management systems, digital tools, educational application;
- Mental Health and Behavioral Supports: social workers, at-risk coordinators, additional counseling services, teacher training and programming, wrap-around and community partnerships.
After evaluating data and consulting stakeholders, Canton ISD is spending ESSER funds on the items in bold print.
