ESSER III:

In 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) Fund. Each states’ funding is based on the same proportion share that they receive under the ESEA, Title-I, Part A. While other COVID related funding has been available to district’s, the three stimulus bills, which represents the majority of the funding, include:

• The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020 and provided approximately $1.157 billion to Texas school districts.
• The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund, passed in December 2020, the under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. ESSER II is expected to provide $4.977 billion to Texas school districts.
• The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER or ESSER III) Fund was passed in March 2021, under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. ESSER III is expected to provide approximately $11.177 billion to Texas school districts.

While the main focus of ESSER I was for preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19; ESSER II and ESSER III focuses on school districts reopening and operating safely, as well as, addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. Districts should be aware; TEA has not provided guidance on the use of ESSER II and ESSER III fund. A summary of program requirements, as denoted by the Department of Education, and can be found on their website at https://www.ed.gov.

*https://www.tasbo.org/news/covid-19-funding-for-school-districts