Addressing Disrupted Learning

Return to ESSER III Overview.

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.

All activities and interventions funded through this required set aside must be evidence-based (see below), respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable student populations, including each major racial and ethnic group, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, gender, and migrant status, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.

• Activities and interventions may include:
• Summer learning or summer enrichment programs
• Extended day programs
• Comprehensive afterschool programs
• Extended school year programs
• Other strategies (which could be during the regular school day)

Evidence-Based

“Evidence-based” has the same definition as used in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for programs such as Title I-A.

Our Evidence-Based Practices, Strategies, Programs and Intervention webpage for more information, training materials and resources – to include tools and external websites that may be used to identify evidence-based resources, programs, practices and interventions

• Visit the Evidence-Based Practices, Strategies, Programs and Intervention webpage
• Search the Evidence-Based Database
• Watch the Evidence-Based Research Requirements Training Module and view the PowerPoint
• Read the Evidence-Based Tutoring Programs Guidance
• Download the Evidence-Based Tutoring Programs Template. 
  • This template should be completed and uploaded as a Related Document in the ESSER III application to ensure evidence-based requirements are met for tutoring programs that will be supported using the 20% required set-aside to address learning loss.
• Download the Evidence -Based Summer School/Learning Template
  • This template should be completed and uploaded into related documents or questions answered in narrative box on the 20% Set Aside page.
• Selecting and Measuring the Effectiveness of Evidence Based Interventions-RELWEST and Comprehensive Center Network

Resources for 20% Setaside Funds

• Read the ESSER III 20% Set-Aside FAQ
• Review our Evidence-Based Strategies for ESSER Funds

Search an LEA below to review their plan for addressing disrupted learning. Only LEAs whose ESSER III applications have been "approved" (not submitted) are featured here.