ESSER III
Important Note Regarding Late Liquidation:
The liquidation extension does not allow for additional time for spending ESSER funds. Late liquidation is only for:
- LEAs who are not at high risk for FY25
- Fulfilling 3rd party contracts for education services (eg: to provide tutoring until the end of the school year)
- Already approved construction projects that have unforeseen delays
- Products that have delayed delivery
Please submit your proposal by July 19th. Additional Liquidation Extension guidance will come out soon.
ESSER Liquidation Extension 2024
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 [email protected] or Jessica Deery, 602-542-3068.
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 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.
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:
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
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.
