Data shows that the pandemic has had a significant impact on student learning, both across the country and in Joplin Schools.

Joplin Schools is launching a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to help determine how it should potentially spend additional federal dollars to address unfinished learning and COVID-19 recovery.

The American Rescue Plan signed into law in March by President Joe Biden included $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for school districts across the country, which is the single largest investment in federal elementary and secondary education in the nation’s history. Joplin Schools has applied to receive some of that additional funding.

See the Joplin Schools Continuity of Service Plan, which will continue to be updated throughout the summer as needed based on updated recommendations.

All parents, district employees, students and community members are urged to complete a survey to help the district determine what to prioritize with the potential ESSER funds. School districts are limited in what they can use ESSER funds to support.

What is the purpose of the ARP ESSER III funds?

The purpose of ESSER in general is to award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) such as Joplin Schools to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools.

How much funding is available to Missouri LEAs?

A total of $ 1,748,710,778 is available to the state.

What is the funding period for ARP ESSER III grants?

Funds may be used for allowable activities from March 13, 2020 (with approved pre-award) through Sept. 30, 2023.

What are the federal requirements around the LEA ESSER III Use of Funds Plan?

The LEA must engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders and give the public an opportunity to provide input in the development of its plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds. Complete a survey

The LEA must provide its plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds in an understandable and uniform format.

The LEA’s plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds will be posted to the LEA’s website within 30 days of receiving its ESSER III Notice of Grant Award.

Are there recommended uses of ESSER III funds that will assist LEAs in addressing the impact of the COVID pandemic and disruptions leading to learning loss?

While keeping in mind the purpose and requirements under ESSER III related to accelerating student learning, DESE strongly encourages school systems to plan for how to use these one-time federal funds expeditiously over the entire covered period to facilitate a more comprehensive long-term approach to learning acceleration. This may include aligned strategies that are currently part of a district’s current plans and strategies. A qualitative review of draft local learning acceleration plans revealed the following trends and suggestions, including but not limited to:

Professional Development: comprehensive Reading Academies, high-quality instructional materials, dyslexia training, professional development stipends, technology integration training;

Extended Instructional Time: extended day, extended year, high-dosage tutoring, summer learning;

Staffing: tutors, reduced class sizes, small group instruction, staff retention and recruitment incentive pay, after school enrichment programs, instructional coaching and leadership;

Facilities: ventilation, cleaning, HVAC systems, specialized instructional spaces;

Technology: devices, infrastructure upgrades, learning management systems, digital tools, educational application;

Mental Health and Behavioral Supports: social workers, at-risk coordinators, additional counseling services, teacher training and programming, wrap-around and community partnerships.

What are some of the allowable uses of the ARP ESSER III funds?

ESSER funds are designated to be used in any or all of 15 buckets, which include addressing learning loss, providing professional development, improving indoor air quality, providing social and emotional supports, updating and providing technology, and others.

Will the state provide replacement funds for ESSER after 2023?

Since the large influx of ESSER funding into LEAs can result in funding deficits when it ends, the LEA must plan for how to effectively and efficiently use the ESSER funds. It is recommended to use the ESSER grant funds for one-time or short-term expenditures to address the identified needs caused by the pandemic. Although long-term uses of the ESSER funds are also allowable, these types of uses may cause the LEA to not have funding to continue these  activities after the ESSER period of availability ends, thus creating fiscal deficits.