ESSER COVID-19 Funding
What is ESSER?
As a means of addressing the unprecedented challenges facing school systems across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress approved three rounds of federal stimulus funding to be allocated to schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund:
- ESSER I: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Signed into law on March 20, 2020)
- ESSER II: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act (Signed into law on December 27, 2020)
- ESSER III: American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act (Signed into law on March 11, 2021)
These funds were provided to support areas with the greatest need, where the academic and non-academic components for school districts had the greatest impact due to COVID-19. As additional funding was provided, the intent of the funds was to support States and local school districts’ efforts to safely reopen schools, address significant gaps in learning, and support measures of implementation that will continue to reduce the effects of COVID-19 on students and families.
CARES Act - ESSER I
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding provides flexibility for states to respond to the COVID-19 emergency in K-12 schools. Funds to local school districts may be used for coronavirus response activities, such as planning for and coordinating during long-term school closures, purchasing educational technology to support online learning for all students, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws.
CRRSA Act - ESSER II
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act, provides an additional $54.3 billion for an ESSER II fund. Following the same distribution as the CARES Act, which is based on the share of ESEA Title I, Part A funds follow the same use for coronavirus-response activities. Planning for and coordinating activities that address learning loss, preparing schools for reopening, testing, repairing, upgrading projects to improve air quality in school buildings, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws are continually permitted.
ESSER Funds Awarded to Clayton County Public Schools
ESSER Grants |
Grant Allocation |
CARES Act - ESSER I |
$17,458,566 |
CRRSA Act - ESSER II |
$75,921,262 |
ARP Act - ESSER III |
$170,631,173 |
ESSER Funds Availability Timeline
ESSER Funding |
CARES Act ESSER I |
CRRSA Act ESSER II |
ARP Act ESSER III |
Period of Availability |
March 13, 2020 – September 30, 2021 |
March 13, 2020 – September 30, 2022 |
March 13, 2020 – September 30, 2023 |
Carryover Period |
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 |
October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 |