ESSER III Funds

  • ESSER III

    The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021 established the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) III, a fund dedicated to providing a total of nearly $122 billion to States and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

    Channelview ISD intends to apply for a grant under this fund, and our efforts to identify the needs of our students and school community are shared below:

    • Safe Return to In-Person (please check back, the plan will be posted soon)
    • Instructional Continuity of Services Plan (please check back, the plan will be posted soon)

    If you have questions regarding ESSER or would like to provide input, please contact:

    Patricia M. Glaeser, EdD
    Director of Federal Programs
    281-452-8002
    patricia.glaeser@cvisd.org

  • Over the past year, the federal government through Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. States receive funds based on the same proportion that each state receives under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act - Title IA. States are required to distribute at least 90% of funds to local education agencies (school districts) based on their proportional share of Title IA funds. Federal funding through the ESSER III Fund intends to address the learning gaps that students have experienced due to COVID-19 and other identified district challenges.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s (USDE) initial grant award notice to Texas makes immediately available two-thirds of the total federal appropriation to Texas under ARP (ESSER III), and, as a result, TEA is providing that same amount to Texas schools.  Initial allocations of ESSER III funds granted to Channelview ISD is $11,889,158 and will be used to respond to the student learning loss as a result of COVID-19 along with related needs. The remaining one-third of ARP (ESSER III) funds will be released to schools in the amounts indicated on the above allocation document and will also be supplemental to all other state funds. Channelview ISD's remaining allocation is $5,944,579. However, due to federal requirements, these funds have not yet been made available to the state and remain contingent upon USDE approving the state plan. The state plan will be developed in consultation with educators and other stakeholders around the state, as required by federal law. Additional details on the state plan will be announced in future correspondence. 

    As with the state, the district is also required to create a district plan outlining its intent to allocate and use the ESSER III funds. The district is currently going through a process of seeking feedback from all stakeholders to inform the development of the district plan. The district will post the plan on this page as soon as it is approved. Please visit this page frequently for updates on ESSER III.

    General Specifics on the grant are as follows:

    • Time Frame for the grant: Pre-award costs can be recoded from March 13, 2020, and allowed to spend funds until September 30, 2023. With the Tidings Act if districts needed to carryover unused funds they would be allowed to continue spending to September 30, 2024
    • Districts would be required to follow all federal, state, and local regulations and requirements for federal grant administration and fiscal spending of funds
    • District entitlement for the grant for the 3 year period: $17,833,737

    Click here to complete ESSER survey. 

  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the ESSER III funds?

    For more information, visit the Texas Education Agency FAQ Website.

     

    What is the purpose of the ARP ESSER III funds?

    The intent and purpose of ARP of 2021, ESSER III funding is to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students.

     

    Are the ESSER III funds required to be used for specific purposes?

    Yes, LEAs must expend a minimum of 20 percent of their grant funds on:

    • Evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning, extended day comprehensive after school programs, or extended school year programs; and
    • Ensure interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on student populations as defined in ESEA, Title I, Part A, students experiencing homelessness, and youth in foster care.

     

    Are there recommended uses of ESSER III funds that will assist LEAs in addressing the impact of the COVID pandemic and disruptions leading to learning loss? (TEA FAQ AU-Q3)

    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: (a) comprehensive Reading Academies, (b) high-quality instructional materials, (c) dyslexia training, (d) professional development stipends, (e) technology integration training;
    • Extended Instructional Time: (a) extended day, (b) extended year, (c) high-dosage tutoring, summer learning;
    • Staffing: (a) tutors, (b) reduced class sizes, (c) small group instruction, (d) staff retention, and recruitment incentive pay, (e) after school enrichment programs, (f) instructional coaching, and (g) leadership;
    • Facilities: (a) ventilation, (b) cleaning, (c) HVAC systems, (d) specialized instructional spaces;
    • Technology: (a) devices, (b) infrastructure upgrades, (c) learning management systems, (d) digital tools, (e) educational application;
    • Mental Health and Behavioral Supports: (a) social workers, (b) at-risk coordinators, (c) additional counseling services, (d) teacher training and programming, (e) wrap-around, and (f) community partnerships.