What are ESSER Funds?

ESSER funds were created to support K-12 education during the COVID-19 pandemic. ESSER I and ESSER II were created with leniency to support a variety of different programs related to child education and care. ESSER I, II and III funds are eligible for any company that is, “necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ an existing staff of the local educational agency.” 

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How can ESSER funds be used?

Here are a few ways to leverage ESSER funds to pay for Enrichment Classes:

• Fully fund Enrichment Classes enrollments for lower-income and at-risk students

• Fully fund a district-paid program for all students

• Partially fund enrollments for all students who participate

ESSER funds can also be used to:

• Fund additional after-school services such as electives

• Provide transportation to and from Enrichment Classes

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Below are a list of eligible uses for ESSER funding and a list of Creator Bot products that can be used for those uses. 

1. Any activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(A) through Section 2001(e)(2)(D).
    

2. Purchasing educational technology, which could include hardware, software, and connectivity, for students served by the LEA that aids in regular, substantive educational interaction between students and educators, including low-income students and students with disabilities. This could also include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(K).
    

3. Planning and implementing summer learning and supplemental afterschool program activities, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(M).
    

4. Addressing learning loss among all students in all subgroups, including by:  

   • Administering high-quality, reliable assessments that can assess student academic progress and assist educators in meeting student needs, including by using differentiated instruction.  

   • Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students. 

   • Providing information and assistance to parents and families on ways to support students.  

   • Tracking student performance and engagement in distance learning environments. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(N).

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included over $120 billion for K-12 education in The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.

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Compatible Products and Services

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Creator Bot Classroom for:

• Creator Micro-Bot (Elementary)

• Creator Mini-Bot (Middle-School)

• Creator Mega-Bot (High-School)

• STEM Enrichment Classes 

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Key Points on ESSER funds

• 90% of the ESSER funds must be allocated by State Education Agencies (SEAs) to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) according to Title I allocations. States were asked to submit their plans by June 7, 2021. State plans can be found here.

• Allocations of funds by SEAs and LEAs must meet the following 2 requirements:

  • Maintenance of Effort: States must maintain support for K-12 in FY 2022 and 2023 at least at the proportional level of support averaged from 2017-2019

  • Maintenance of Equity: States shall not reduce funding per pupil for any high needs/high poverty school districts in FY 2022 and FY 2023.

• 20% of the money is designated to address “learning loss”. LEAs will likely use a greater proportion of programs targeting unfinished learning. 

• School districts have broad discretion over how they spend the funds. 

• ESSER I Funds need to be obligated by September 30, 2022. The ESSER II deadline is September 30, 2023, and ESSER III deadline is September 30, 2024.

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More information on ESSER funds can be found in this fact sheet and FAQ document.