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ESSER III

ESSER III, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant program authorized under American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, provides additional money for local educational agencies (LEAs) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. ESSER III supplements ESSER I, created by the CARES Act in March 2020, and ESSER II, created by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in December 2020.

Wisconsin's ESSER III State Plan

Modifications to Wisconsin's ESSER III State Plan and the use of the state set-aside portion of ESSER III funds.

ESSER III Formula Grants to LEAs

Allocations

As required, DPI will calculate ESSER III allocations to LEAs using the 2020-21 Every Student Succeeds Act, Title I, Part A formula, which is based on the number and percentage of children from low-income families. Title I requirements do not apply to ESSER III funds.

Performance Period

The ESSER III grant performance period is March 13, 2020-September 30, 2024. (American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Interim Final Requirements Footnote 13)

Obligation: All ESSER III funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024. [34 CFR §75.707]

Liquidation: Final claims are due to DPI by December 6, 2024. [2 CFR §200.344]

Allowed Activities and Costs

All activities allowed under ESSER I and ESSER II were also allowed under ESSER III, with an additional emphasis on assessing and addressing learning loss. All activities supported by ESSER III must prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

LEAs receiving funds under ESSER III are required to reserve no less than 20 percent of their allocation for the purpose of addressing learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions. These interventions must respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, and migratory students.

EBIS Grant 

The ESSER III evidence-based improvement strategies (EBIS) Grant required LEAs receiving additional ESSER III funds to raise the minimum per pupil amount to $578 or the minimum grant amount to $323,074 (or $200,000 for LEAs with fewer than 25 total pupils) to select the EBIS the LEA will implement or maintain using the ESSER III EBIS Grant and budget 100 percent of EBIS Grant funds for activities necessary to implement or maintain EBIS. 

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