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With the deadline for spending ESSER III funds looming, it’s time for school districts to truly maximize the funding. Since ESSER I was introduced as part of the CARES Act in 2020, these stimulus bills have provided much needed support for schools across the country.To achieve these priorities, they scoped out three main projects.
ESSER, or Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, has provided a great infusion of cash for schools over the past four years, helping schools address the challenges of reopening schools, aiding students with their mental health post-pandemic, and recovering from learning loss as a result of COVID-19.
As September 30 draws nearer, it’s crucial to ensure you’re allocating funds before they expire. With the only government stipulation for the funding being that it must be used to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic”, there are a wide range of potential uses for the money that address these points. It can be overwhelming to consider all your options and make a selection.
Here at Bodyswaps we’ve come up with a handy acronym for a top tips on spending ESSER:
- Engage with educational technology
- Solve your stakeholders’ needs
- Spend on strategy
- Educate your educators
- Remember recovery
Engage with educational technology
From the reliable Learner Management System and student quiz platforms through to innovative AI and VR based software, there is a range of educational technologies which can benefit students across the board. With the influx of purchasing power that ESSER gives you, why not try out a new piece of technology which can enhance learning for your students.Solve your stakeholders’ needs
Spend on strategy
Learning loss is perhaps the most key element to focus on with ESSER funding. Direct portions of funding towards initiatives that will help to mitigate this learning loss, and don’t be afraid to innovate! While classic initiatives such as tutoring or summer programs can certainly help to address gaps in knowledge, there are a range of educational technologies that target specific areas of knowledge or skill in unique and engaging ways.Educate your educators
Empower your educators with new knowledge by focusing funds on personal development opportunities for teachers. By enhancing your educators you help them better prepare for and understand the struggles students are experiencing in the wake of the pandemic.
Remember recovery
At the heart of ESSER is the focus on helping students recover from the past few years, filling in skill gaps and addressing any learning loss. Focus your spending on the solutions you think will best address these needs.
Being strategic but speedy with ESSER is key now, with some states still needing to spend the majority of their money. But it’s key to remember you only need to allocate the budgets by September 30, and you’ll then have a few months afterwards to follow through on this allocation.
Ultimately, don’t be afraid to be forward-thinking and creative with your funding, plan strategically but don’t let this force you to stick to the status quo.
Discover how Bodyswaps can help you maximize your ESSER funding to address skills gaps and set your students up for success.