Through several stimulus packages, Congress has provided relief for schools to help address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our students.
Big Ideas Learning is here to help educators better understand what is available to them and their schools through these funds and how it can be used.
Since March of 2020, Congress has passed three stimulus relief packages totaling $5 trillion in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within each of these bills, nearly $190 billion has been allocated to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. These funds are awarded to state educational agencies in order to provide local educational agencies with the funds necessary to address the impact of COVID-19. Distribution of these funds are based on Title I.
On March, 27 2020, Congress passes the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). The $2.2 trillion stimulus bill included $30.75 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund, which created four grant programs centering around education: Education Stabilization Fund Discretionary Grants; Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund; Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA) was passed into law. The $900 billion relief package included an additional $81.9 billion to the Education Stabilization Fund.
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The $1.9 trillion relief package directly allocated an additional $122 billion to the ARP ESSER Fund. The ARP requires that districts use 20% of ARP ESSER funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time.
To track funds awarded by your state, please visit the Education Stabilization Fund
These emergency resources are available for a wide range of activities to address the individual needs as schools continue to respond and recover from the pandemic. Some uses of these funds may be focused on health and safety -- such as improving facilities and prevention strategies. Additional uses may be focused on addressing the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students.
For a complete list of allowable uses, click here.
As districts begin to assess the impact of lost instructional time due to COVID-19 we are here to help provide you with the solutions necessary to accelerate student learning.
Below you will find how our solutions that align with the funding guidelines of ESSER.
Big Ideas Learning empowers teachers and promotes student ownership so that all learners can succeed in math.
Our programs are based on five research strategies proven to have the highest impact on student achievement. These five strategies are Teacher Clarity, Feedback, Classroom Discussion, Direct Instruction and Spaced Practice.
The robust assessment suite allows teachers to assess students diagnostically, formatively, or summatively, in print or digitally with the Assignment Builder.
The assessments give teachers clear insight into student progress, helping make data-driven instructional decisions to meet the unique needs of every student and accelerate their learning.
Through a wealth of resources, Big Ideas Learning programs allow teachers to curate a unique instructional experience. There are a variety of opportunities for reteaching, remediation, practice, enrichment, and extension in the Teach Editions, online, and in printed resources.
To support teachers and students in their return to classrooms, Big Ideas Learning programs provide key features to help at the beginning of each semester, each chapter, and on a day-to-day basis. Prerequisite Tests, Chapter Progressions, Formative Checks, Self-Assessment, Warmups and Closures all tie-in to accelerating student learning.
Big Ideas Learning programs come with built-in parent support and teacher resources for a complete home connection. Parents have access to lesson pages and online interactive support through our Easy Access Materials and can sign into our online program to track academic performance. Teachers can choose from a variety of Parent Letters to provide insight into what students are learning.
Engaging technology for students and teachers is at the heart of Big Ideas Learning programs. The flexible online platform includes homework and assessment, interactive resources, and vidoes that support any learning environment.
The Dynamic Student Edition is a complete, interactive version of the Student Edition. Students have access to interactive explorations, digital examples, virtual manipulatives, tutorial videos, and digital exercises.
Big Ideas Learning understands that ongoing product training and professional development is integral to supporting teaching and learning in the area of mathematics.
To help schools and districts, our professional staff of experienced education consultants provide workshops ranging from initial implementation sessions to additional topics that meet individual needs.
School districts (LEAs) must apply to the relevant SEA. Every SEA must use at least 90 percent of its ESSER Fund grant to make subgrants to LEAs by formula based on FY 2019 Title I, Part A allocations.
No. The ESSER Fund is a separate Federal program. ESSER Funds must be awarded and tracked separately from Title I, Part A Funds.
Yes. SEAs must award ESSER formula subgrants to LEAs within one year of receiving the State allocation. An SEA must also make awards with its SEA Reserve within one year of receiving the state allocation. Any funds that the SEA fails to award by the one-year deadline must be returned to the Department for reallocation consistent with the CARES act.
ESSER Funds are available for obligation by LEAs and other subrecipients through September 30, 2022, which includes the Tydings period (General Education Provisions Act §421(b)(1)).
Yes. An LEA must file a local application with the SEA in order to receive an ESSER formula subgrant. For information about what an SEA must include in its local application for an ESSER formula subgrant, please refer to the ESSER Fund Certification and Agreement.
