Priority Overview
The final Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant, provided through the American Rescue Plan (ESSER III-ARP), ends on Sept. 30, 2024. OSSE is committed to supporting Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to maximize the use of these one-time federal funds through planning tools and strategies to sustain key initiatives into the 2024-25 school year and beyond.
For questions, please contact Linda Sun at [email protected].
Top Things to Know
- LEAs must obligate all ESSER III-ARP funds before the grant period ends on is Sept. 30, 2024.
- OSSE strongly encourages LEAs to prioritize ESSER’s six evidence-based strategies in their budgeting and strategic planning for Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond:
- Implement High-Quality Instructional Materials with Aligned Professional Development
- Expand Access to High-Impact Tutoring
- Extend Learning with Summer and After School Opportunities
- Invest in Mental Health Supports for Students
- Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
- Reimagine High School through Strengthened Career and College Connections
- LEAs may leverage the U.S. Department of Education’s liquidation extension request process to extend the use of ESSER III-ARP funds. LEAs that apply for and receive liquidation extension approval may continue to request reimbursement on ESSER III-ARP funds through Dec. 1, 2025.
- OSSE will provide guidance and information to LEAs regarding how best to leverage grant flexibilities to sustain evidence-based strategies and other key priorities in Fiscal Year 2025. Throughout summer 2024, OSSE will convene communities of practice for LEA finance and grant leaders to explore how best to leverage existing federal grant flexibilities in FY25 budgets.
Key Resources
- OSSE's Post-ESSER Sustainability Planning Supports for LEAs Website
- Six Evidence-Based Strategies to Sustain: Resource Guide for LEAs
- ESEA Financial Flexibility for LEAs and Title I Schools
- Guidance Letter to LEAs on ESSER Liquidation Extension
- OSSE Liquidation Extension Guidance Webinar
- Federal Recovery Funds Obligation Requirements for Liquidation Extension
- ESSER III-ARP Liquidation Extension Request Application Form for LEAs
Key Dates & Deadlines
- July 31, 2024 - Federal Flexibilities Community of Practice Time: 1-2 p.m.
- Aug. 13, 2024 - Liquidation Extension Communities of Practice Time: 1- 2 p.m.
- Sept. 30, 2024 – Deadline to obligate all ESSER funding
- Oct. 15, 2024 - Deadline to submit a liquidation extension request to OSSE
- Dec. 31, 2024 – Deadline to submit reimbursement for non-liquidation extension expenses requests in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS)