Purpose
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 authorizes states to use 1% of their total ARP allocation ($15.4 million) for evidence-based summer enrichment programs. Evidence-based summer enrichment programs will 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 will be allocated through a competitive grant process.
Grant Competition Announcement
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) recently 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 $15.4 million with the eligibility requirements and funding disbursement process mandated through Motion 57.
Eligible applicants for the $15.4 million allocation included Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (districts and independent charter schools) eligible for Sparsity Aid, and if funds remain, a second round 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 will receive funding from the $15.4 million allocation. The project period for this grant is March 1, 2023-September 30, 2024.
Application Deadline
The grant application window has closed.
Eligibility and Funding
Eligibility requirements and funding disbursement mandated through Motion 57, and the provision of the additional $5 million requires a multi-level award process. 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 1) |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Applicants may choose the amount of funding, from the available tiers, necessary to implement their action plan. The funding tiers are based upon student enrollment. Each tier provides a minimum and a maximum amount of funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate, through their application, that the amount of funding requested is reasonable and necessary and commensurate with their action plan.
Project Period
The project period is March 2023-September 30, 2024. These are one-time funds that must be expended by September 30, 2024.
Grant Information and Materials
Additional Resources
Video Resouces
- The ESSER Grants Team offered a live webinar to review the grant guidelines, discuss timeline for applications, and answer any 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.