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As of March 2021, there have been three federal stimulus packages supporting education:

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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

(March 2020)

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CFRRSA) Act

(December 2020)

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act

(March 2021)

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When do stimulus funds have to be spent?

• CARES Act ESSER funds must be obligated by September 2022

• CRRSA Act ESSER funds must be obligated by September 2023

• ARP Act ESSER funds must be obligated by September 2023
   

ESSER funds may be applied to purchases made prior to the actual award of funding for purchases made since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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How much stimulus funding is my district receiving?

The US Department of Education has launched https://covid-relief-data.ed.gov/ that shows CARES Act allocations for states and districts (be sure to select ESSER).

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Why do some districts receive more stimulus funds than others?

ESSER funds are awarded based upon the federal Title I, Part A funding formula. This makes funding distribution more equitable, yet not equal.

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What should my district spend its funds on?

That depends upon your district’s unique needs and goals. However, the legislation is intended for emergency relief. At a high level, this means activities that support the safe reopening of schools (1), advance equity (2), and accelerate student achievement.

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(3) Notably, the CARES, CRRSA, and ARP Acts permit any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which include programs related to effective teaching and learning. Due to the extended impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning in most areas, there is widespread agreement that funds should be targeted toward implementing assessment systems with high-quality standards and skills-based content and data systems (4) that empower educators to make targeted instructional decisions. 

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All Writing by Design products and services are qualified ESSER purchases that equip educators to equitably and effectively accelerate growth for each and every student. 

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(1)Writing by Design Videos provides classroom or remote instruction that allows students to progress at their own pace providing automatic progress reports for teachers to target individual and small group intervention.

2) Writing by Design’s Culturally Responsive Curriculum ensures that all students feel represented and respected, facilitating connections to instruction. Fine-tuned through decades of pilots, Writing by Design ensures writing proficiency for all student demographics. Data

(3) Writing by Design lessons present concepts in achievable “chunks” making it possible for all students to achieve mastery of specific grade-level skills. The “Checking for Understanding” component embedded in each lesson along with end-of-lesson quizzes prevents gaps in student learning.

(4) Grading by Design online assessments provide real-time reports of student progress, Online Assessments - How it Works

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1. DonorsChoose – Funds for Classroom Enrichment/Student Achievement. While not a traditional grant, this is an excellent way of raising funds for your classroom. Public school teachers essentially propose classroom projects and post their proposals on the website. Proposals simply need to include specific items needed.  Donors browse the site and have the opportunity to donate money to your cause.  https://www.donorschoose.org/

 

2. Kids in Need Foundation – Teacher grants: https://www.kinf.org/programs/supplyboxes/

 

3. GetEdFunding hosts thousands of education grants, including funding opportunities for public and private PreK–12 schools and districts; awards

for outstanding professionals; grants for teachers, media specialists, and administrators; higher education institutions; and nonprofit

organizations offering educational programs. https://www.getedfunding.com/c/index.web?s@3o6Db.xow1UtY                      

 

4. Follett: https://www.follettlearning.com/wps/wcm/connect/a642c498-1ace-427d-bb46-f53a478cdaf1/master-list-of-grants-   

2018.pdfMOD=AJPERES&CVID=l.pP1f6

 

5. NEA Foundation – Student Success & Learning and Leadership Grants: https://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/ao_reg.register?x_gm_id=2862&x_source_flag=&x_style_id=&x_proposal_type_id=9975&x_sv_id=&x_org_id=&x_invitation_id=&x_language_code=en-US&x_tax_source_country_id=US

           

6. ING Unsung Heroes Program ING Commercial Banking established the Unsung Heroes in an effort to recognize teachers implementing new teaching methods and techniques for improving student learning. The award application is centered on a description of previous projects teachers have worked on or plans they would like to enact in the future to benefit their classroom. Applications are judged on innovation, creativity and the potential to positively influence students. Grants range from $2,000-$25,000. 

http://www.grantsforteachers.com/foundation-grants/Voya_Unsung_Heroes/grantdetails_63.aspx

 

7. The American Association of University Women Education Foundation is one of the largest private funders of educational programs for women and girls. They fund a variety of programs, including research, fellowships, community projects, and symposia. For details, contact AAUW Educational Foundation, 1111 Sixteenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20036; Tel: (202) 728-7602; email: foundation@aauw.org; 

https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/

 

8. The International Reading Association, dedicated to promoting levels in literacy and quality reading instruction, has various grant and award opportunities, including children's literature, professional development, research, and teachers' awards.  www.reading.org/about/whatwedo/awards 

 

9. The Walter S. Johnson Foundation's Strengthening Public Education program includes grants for teacher development. The foundation is particularly interested in supporting efforts that allow educators to reflect on their teaching and to revise their practice based on what they have

learned. The foundation also provides new teacher support. Giving primarily in northern CA, with emphasis on Bay Area, and Reno and Washoe County, NV. Grants range from $500 to $500,000. Contact: Ms. Jean D. Parmelee, Exec. Dir., or Kimberly Ford, Prog. Dir., 525 Middlefield Rd., Ste. 110, Menlo Park, CA 94025; Tel: (650) 326-0485; email: info@wsjf.org; www.wsjf.org.

 

10. J. P. Morgan Charitable Trust's education program focuses on improvement in the quality of education in the New York City public school

system.  The trust encourages programs that give promise of improving public education, particularly those that can be replicated throughout the educational system, including teacher training and support, professional development, and educational advocacy. Contact: Hildy Simmons, Managing Dir., 60 Wall St., 46th Fl., New York, NY 10260-0060; Tel: (212) 648-9673.

 

11. Weinberg Foundation: http://hjweinbergfoundation.org/how-we-give/education

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      Other Funding Sources: