5 Things You Need to Know About ESSER Funding

To help school districts nationwide make the most of their Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® continues its blog series to answer frequently asked ESSER questions.

Because schools cannot spend ESSER funds following respective spending deadlines, it is imperative that school leaders maximize their allotted resources while they still can. While this fact is obvious to district administrators and federal programs directors responsible for allocating these funds because there exist so many ways to spend these funds, decision fatigue is common.

We hope our ESSER blog series, even in a small way, can help make your jobs easier and invite you to read below for answers to five frequently asked ESSER questions.

1. Can ESSER funds be used for professional development for teachers and staff?

Yes, professional development is an approved ESSER use case and many schools across the country have done this to great effect. Professional development is especially helpful in providing actionable strategies educators can use to support students experiencing learning and engagement losses.

2. What are the ESSER-related reporting requirements?

While specific requirements vary from state to state, typical reporting requirements include:

• Documentation detailing the use of funds including a description of the program, amount spent, number of participants, expected outcomes or goals, and documentation of the procurement process
   
• Financial reporting that details an initial budget, modifications made to a budget, actual expenditures and an account of remaining funds
   
• Student outcomes such as academic achievement data, graduation rates, attendance and other relevant student metrics
   
• Equity reporting that specifies how funds were appropriated across student subgroups including English language learners, disadvantaged populations and students with disabilities
   
• Compliance reporting that demonstrates compliance with relevant laws, regulations and guidance related to the use of ESSER funds

3. Can private schools apply for ESSER funds?

Yes. While the specific requirements vary by state, the U.S. Department of Education states that nonprofit private schools are eligible for their approved share of ESSER funds allocated to their respective local education agency (LEA).

When applying for these funds, private schools should be prepared to provide information including budget and expenditure plans, identification details and proof that the use case for ESSER funds falls within required rules and guidelines.

4. Are there requirements for public or stakeholder input for ESSER fund usage?

Although the requirements are state specific, the Department of Education encourages schools to communicate with their local communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure responsible and transparent use of ESSER funds.

This can take the form of holding public hearings, community forums and town halls, consulting with various stakeholder groups, conducting surveys and creating advisory committees. Any of these actions will allow districts to make more informed decisions and better support the students in their care.

5. Can ESSER funds be used on high-quality out-of-school-time (OST) programs?

Yes, ESSER funds can support high-quality OST programs, and research has long shown the positive academic and social impacts of these opportunities. From arts and sports programs to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and cultural programs, there are many different OST options that cater to the unique needs of individual schools.

Maximize the Impact of Your ESSER Funds

Need help navigating the complexities of ESSER or want to learn more about ways to use these resources to make a lasting impact on your students? Contact us today to speak to an invention education specialist who can help you every step of the way!