Purpose
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 authorizes states to use 1% of their total ARP allocation ($15.4 million for Wisconsin) for evidence-based summer enrichment programs. Evidence-based summer enrichment programs use Evidence-based Improvement Strategies (EBIS) designed to address unfinished learning and social, emotional, and academic needs of students most impacted by COVID-19.
Funds were allocated through a competitive grant process.
Grant Competition Announcement
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) completed the external and internal review of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Summer School grant applications. This grant is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 in the amount of $15,418,674 with the eligibility requirements and funding disbursement process mandated through the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance Motion 57.
Eligible applicants for the $15.4 million allocation included Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) (public school districts and independent charter schools) eligible for Sparsity Aid, and a second round of the remaining funds for all remaining LEAs. All applicants were required to receive an average score of 3 (or 48 average total score) to be considered for funding.
For this competition, 66 total eligible applications were submitted with 51 applications meeting the average score requirement. In all, 48 applicants were awarded funding from the $15.4 million allocation. The project period for this grant is March 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
Application Deadline
The grant application window has closed. This was one-time funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Eligibility and Funding
Eligibility requirements and funding disbursement mandated through the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance Motion 57. All eligible applicants will apply via one competition process.
Funding will be awarded as follows for Eligible Applicants:
| Round One | Round Two (if funds remain from Round One) |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (Districts and Independent Charter Schools) eligible for Sparsity Aid under Wis Stat 115.436 | All Wisconsin Public School LEAs (Districts and Independent Charter Schools) |
LEAs applied for the amount of funding necessary to implement their action plan from the available tiers that are based on student enrollment. Each tier provided a minimum and a maximum amount of funding. Applicants demonstrated in their applications that the amount of funding requested is reasonable and necessary and commensurate with their action plan.
Project Period
The project period is March 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. These are one-time funds that must be expended by September 30, 2024.
Grant Information and Materials
Additional Resources
Video Resources
- The ESSER Grants Team offered a live webinar to review the grant guidelines, discuss timeline for applications, and answer questions. Slides from the webinar are available here.
- The ESSER Grants Team recorded a webinar to discuss the requirements of the grant application. Slides from the webinar are available here.
Evidence-based Summer School Resources
- DPI's Summer School Information and Resources webpage, with models, examples, and other resources
- Building and Using Evidence in Summer, Afterschool and other out-of-school time settings from the Institute of Education Sciences - This website provides information and tools that will be helpful to both completing your application and in implementing your program.
Grant Writing Resources
For questions about this information, contact EBIS.support@dpi.wi.gov.