While we face many challenges from the COVID-related disruptions, there is also unprecedented federal funding that we can tap.

On January 18th, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced that every state education agency (SEA) received approval for their American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan before the end of December 2021. As a result, the Department has distributed all $122 billion of ARP ESSER funds to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The school districts across the country are using these funds to address their schools’ urgent needs, including ventilation improvements, staff hiring and retention, mental health services, high-dosage tutoring programs, after-school and summer learning partnerships, and more.

For the school districts, ESSER funds are available for summer learning this year and up until 2024. This means that we have more funds than usual for summer initiatives, and it can be instrumental in helping your students catch up and build momentum after years of disrupted in-person learning. So how can you use these ESSER resources to prevent the “summer slide” and help your students stay engaged when the school year ends?

A Closer Look at Federal Funding

The $122 billion provided under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), also known as ARP-ESSER or ESSER III, offers a unique opportunity to use the summer months to help students catch up. This legislation, which followed CARES (ESSER I) and CRRSA (ESSER II) funding, requires your school district to spend at least 20% of its ARP allocation to address learning loss through evidence-based interventions such as summer learning programs.

In addition to COVID Relief funds (CARES, CRRSA, and ARP), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides funding to support high quality education through formula funds based on the numbers of students meeting certain eligibility requirements and competitive funds awarded through a selection process.

A few of these include:

• Title I
• Title II
• Title III (for English learners)
• Title IV-A
• Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers)

TITLE I PART A: IMPROVING BASIC PROGRAMS OPERATED BY STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES

• Allocates funds to improve basic programs and ensures that economically and socially disadvantaged students receive equal opportunities to access quality education.
• Title I funds can be used to help students meet state academic standards, including investing in additional teachers, intervention programs, supplemental programs, technology, and professional development.

Source: www.futuregenius.org

TITLE III: LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

• Allocates funds to supplement state language instruction educational programs designed to assist English learners’ achievement goals.
• Identify, acquire, and upgrade curricula of summer language assistance programs for English learners (i.e., curricula pilots).
• Programs for English learners that extend beyond Title I or other summer school time.
• Supplemental curricular materials.
• Educational software/technology for Title III purposes that is not provided in other programs.

TITLE IV PART A: STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT GRANTS (SSAE)

• Designed to help schools invest in programs that support safe and healthy students, a well-rounded curriculum, and effective use of technology.
• Based on their Title I allocation, funds are distributed to local education agencies (LEAs).
• Districts must submit applications to the State describing how they plan to use the funds.

Source: www.futuregenius.org

TITLE IV PART B – ​​21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

• It serves as a supplementary program that can enhance State or local reform efforts to improve student academic achievement and support their overall development.
• 21st CCLC funds create and expand local after-school, before-school, and summer learning programs at schools and community-based organizations.
• Supports after-school and summer learning programs to students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools.
• Funds academic enrichment activities that help students meet state and local achievement standards.
• Designed for a broad array of additional enrichment services to reinforce and complement regular academic programs such as STEM, career and technical, art and music, and drug and violence prevention programs.
• Grant awards are for 3-5 years.

Source: www.futuregenius.org

Adopting Strategies That Support Continuous Learning

Robust summer learning programs, including math and reading workbooks and digital programs that personalize student practice helps keep students’ skills sharp—whether they are participating in formal summer school instruction, enrichment programs offered by schools or community organizations, or learning independently.

Most teachers believe that summer learning programs are essential to students’ success. Summer reading enables students to become better readers and fosters the joy of reading. In addition, consistent math practice builds students’ math facts fluency and increases their ability to comprehend math concepts as they progress through school.

Visit our summer learning page to learn more about our Summer Learning HeadStart workbooks with free access to an online program to support your summer initiatives.