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ESSER III

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING LATE LIQUIDATI0N:

“At this time, we do not believe there is a viable pathway for LEAs with respect to late liquidation for ESSER funds, given the uncertain state of current information and guidance from ED and it’s apparent inconsistency with other federal regulations and opinions of others, including ED’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). Also, while a formal process was announced by ED for ESSER I, nothing formal has been released to date for ESSER II and III.

At this time, we highly encourage LEAs to plan accordingly for the current ESSER II (September 30, 2023) and ESSER III (September 30, 2024) project end dates, based on these dates being the end of the periods of availability for each program.”

 

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has received funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to provide new Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) Fund grants to LEAs to support local recovery needs and efforts in response to COVID-19. 

You can contact our ESSER team anytime at Devon Isherwood, 602 364-0379 or Allison Barbor, 602 542-3068 or the [email protected]

ESSER III - ADE setaside funds 

The Arizona Department of Education received an incredible 130+ submissions for ESSER III Set-Aside dollars. These applications were for the Arizona Department of Education’s discretionary funds from the third federal COVID-19 recovery act, the American Rescue Plan, and are distinct from the ESSER III funds available only to LEAs through grant applications that were due this month.  

Our team is reviewing submissions and plans to announce recipients by Spring 2022.

GREAT NEWS!  Unlike ESSER I, there will be a single completion report for ESSER II and a single completion report for ESSER III.  This will remove the burden of completing a second application and budget with unspent carry over funds. See information below:

ESSER Completion Reports

 

ESSER III - LEA Allocations

Ninety percent of Arizona’s total $2.5 billion ESSER III Fund award is required to be allocated to LEAs based on the proportionate share of Title I-A funds they received in SY20-21, totaling $2,323,888,827.30.

Additional funds were provided using ADE’s SEA Discretionary Activities Reserve to ensure all non-profit Non-Title I-A LEAs and CTED Entities receive an award of $570 per pupil, and to ensure all Title I-A LEAs receive an award of at least $570 per pupil.

In total, $2,372,250,366.22 has been allocated to LEAs through ESSER III.

LEAs applying for their ESSER III allocations should have submitted their application on February 1, 2022. This deadline was set by the US Department of Education.

ESSER III Allocations

How is ESSER III different from ESSER I and ESSER II?

ESSER III differs from the first two ESSER awards. It contains new requirements for LEAs. These include:

  • New 20% required set aside to address disrupted learning using evidence-based academic, social and emotional learning strategies for vulnerable populations of students
  • ESSER III LEA plan requirements, to include engaging in meaningful consultation with stakeholders in the development of the plan 
  • Safe return to in-person instruction plan
  • Local maintenance of equity requirements

How do I apply to use my ESSER III Funds?

The ESSER III application for Title-I-A LEAs, Non-Title I-A LEAs and CTED Entities was due February 1, 2022. This deadline was established by the US Department of Education. 

  • Download the list of available ESSER III allocations:

ESSER III Allocations

 

What is the process for Non-Title I-A LEAs receiving small ESSER III awards ($50,000 or less):

  • Based on stakeholder feedback, small Non-Title I-A LEAs receiving an ESSER III allocation of $50,000 or less will be provided their award as a supplement to their existing ESSER II award. This will streamline the process for small Non-Title I-A LEAs to access and leverage these new funds, remove the need for small LEAs to complete a new application for ESSER III, and will also waive the new ESSER III LEA plan requirements. If a small LEA would rather access their ESSER III funds through the new ESSER III application process (with all the new ESSER IIII requirements) they may do so through sending a request to [email protected]

  • Watch the March 24, 2021 ESSER III Overview Webinar and view the PowerPoint
  • Watch the May 25, 2021 ESSER III Application overview Webinar and view the PowerPoint
  • Watch the June 2, 2021 Safe Return to In-Person Instructional Plan Requirements Webinar and view the PowerPoint

NEW:  Step by Step ESSER III Completion with narrative examples

  • Read the comprehensive LEA ESSER III guidance.
  • Watch our video overview of the ESSER III application process & view the accompanying slides
  • Read the new U.S. Department of Education Frequently Asked Questions guidance regarding allowable uses of ESSER funds and ESSER funds requirements across ESSER I, II and III.
  • Read the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) FAQ 'Common Use of Funds Questions for ESSER & GEER'
  • Read the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Memo on ESSER Funds for COVID Leave

ADE partnered with Achieve60AZ, College Success Arizona, Expect More Arizona and Arizona School Administrators to create and share a new resource to support LEAs to meet new ESSER III local stakeholder engagement requirements. 

  • Read and download the ESSER III and Community Input Partner Toolkit

What should ESSER III Funds be used for?

ESSER III – just like ESSER I & II funds - are highly flexible, and are designed to help address local recovery efforts relative to responding to COVID-19. ESSER III Funds can be used throughout the LEA, in all schools and in support of all students and staff.

  • ADE has published Evidence-Based Strategies for ESSER Funds
  • The U.S. Department of Education has released new Frequently Asked Questions guidance regarding allowable uses of ESSER funds and ESSER funds requirements across ESSER I, II and III.
  • By the end of the Summer, ADE will also release recommendations from our Equitable & Effective Schools Task Force on LEA use of these funds.
  • The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has released an FAQ on the Common Use of Funds for ESSER & GEER.

Prior Approval -- Construction/HVAC Assurances - For District Schools 

Prior Approval -- Construction/HVAC Assurances - For Charter Schools

 

New 20% Set-Aside Requirements

The American Rescue Plan stipulates that 20% of an LEA’s total ESSER III award must be reserved to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs.

2021-2022 ESSA Evidence Based Requirements and Resource Guidance for ESSER

School Support and Improvement Evidence Base Resources 

 

20% Set-Aside Data Review-Evidence of Efficacy/Improved Outcomes

ESSER III Monitoring Announcement-20% Set Aside Trainings

 

ESSER DATA CHART 20% Set-Aside EBIs

 

Measuring Outcomes for Evidence-Based Strategies, Intended Outcomes, and Success Indicators-REL West October Training 4.1.10

 

Learn More

ESSER III Revisions

Information on When to Complete a Revision, How to Complete a Revision, and Next Steps

ESSER III Revisions - PowerPoint 

 

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan Requirements

All LEAs receiving ESSER III funds must develop and make publicly available on their website, a plan for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services.

Learn More

  • ADE ESSER Set Aside Funds
    • All ADE ESSER Projects
    • American Rescue Plan
  • Addressing Disrupted Learning
  • ESSER I & II
  • ESSER III
    • Addressing Disrupted Learning
    • Application & Overview
    • Maintenance of Equity
    • Safe Return to In-Person Learning
    • School Instructional Mode Data
  • ESSER Data Reporting
  • ESSER I, II, III Programmatic Monitoring
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Safe Return to In-Person Learning
    • Read the Overview
    • Submit Your Fall 2021 Plan

Contact

  • Reach an ESSER Specialist
  • [email protected]
  • Devon Isherwood, Deputy Associate Superintendent of School Support & Improvement
  • (602) 364-0379
  • [email protected]
  • Allison Barbor, ESSER Director
  • (602) 542-3068
  • [email protected]
  • Get ESSER Email Updates

From the ESSER Blog

ESSER Newsletter: December 2022 Tue, Dec 13 2022

Transitioning to the new year and new administration, upcoming ESSER-funded opportunities, and more! 

ESSER Newsletter: November 2022 Fri, Nov 18 2022

New Discovery Education Native Stories of the Southwest Channel, LEA ESSER reminders, and upcoming professional development 

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