Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant Programs

ESSER grant funding is authorized in three pieces of legislation. As a result, the ESSER programs areÌýadministered by ɬÀï·¬as separate grant programs. An ESSER side-by-side is under development.

The ESSER I, CRRSA ESSER II,Ìý²¹²Ô»å ARP ESSER III grant programs run concurrently. During the overlap in periods of availability, grantees may expend funds from any of the grant programs.

ESSER I Grant ProgramÌý
(FAR code 266)

Authorized inÌýTitle VIII, Division B, of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law in March 2020. Period of availabilityÌýis March 13, 2020 (with pre-award), to September 30, 2022 (with carryover).
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CRRSA ESSER II Grant ProgramÌý
(FAR code 281)

Authorized in the CoronavirusÌýResponse and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA), signed into law in December 2020. Period of availabilityÌýis March 13, 2020 (with pre-award), to September 30, 2023 (with carryover).
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ARP ESSER III Grant Program
(FAR code 282)

Authorized in theÌýAmerican Rescue Plan ActÌý(ARP), signed into law inÌýMarch 2021. Period of availabilityÌýis March 13, 2020 (with pre-award), to September 30, 2024 (with carryover).

Approved ɬÀï·¬ State Plan forÌýARP ESSER IIIÌý(JulyÌý7, 2021)

Ìý(PDF)Ìý(June 14, 2021)

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ESSER-SUPP Grant Program
(Use ESSER III FAR code 283, along with a local option code to distinguishÌýit as separate from ESSER III)

The ɬÀï·¬ Legislature authorized under TEC Section 29.930 as added by House Bill 1525, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, a portion of the state’s discretionary ESSER III funding to provide additional resources to pay for unreimbursed costs due to the coronavirus pandemic and for intensive educational supports for students not performing satisfactorily.

GrantÌýAllocations

TheÌýEntitlementsÌýpage lists ESSER amounts allocated to eligible LEAs by LEA and ESC.

Refer to the ESSER Fund Allocation Procedures for details on TEA's method for allocating ESSER funds.

    USDE Annual Performance Reporting

    ɬÀï·¬has developed the following USDE Annual Performance Reporting resources:

    ESSER ComplianceÌý

    ESSER II

    The ESSER Compliance Team is validating a group of 200 LEAs and reviewing the selected checkboxes that were identified in Section C. of the CRRSA ESSER II application. The team is validating to ensure that the LEAs selected for validation has documentation to verify that the LEA followed a process for determining need for the district, and how the LEA determined types of processes the LEA followed in prioritizing what activities would be funded with ESSER II funds.Ìý

    ESSER III

    An LEA that receives ESSER III grant funding is required to develop the following plans and post them online:

    • A plan for safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services, per ARP Section 2001(i)
    • An ESSER III use of funds plan

    For all LEAs that receive ESSER III grant funding, ɬÀï·¬is required to supply USDE with the URLs for these two plans.

    The ESSER Compliance Team is validating a group of 200 LEAs to ensure their return to in-person instruction plans are up to date, posted appropriately, contain required elements, and that the current links are working.

    Districts selected for ESSER validation will submit documentation via the

    ɬÀï·¬Resources

    ɬÀï·¬has developed the following ESSER resources:

    • ESSER side-by-Side:ÌýThe ESSER Side-by-Side Requirements Document provides an overview of the three ESSER grants.
    • FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions are listed in theÌý. The FAQ will be updated regularly. Use the form to submit new ESSER questions to ɬÀï·¬staff.Ìý

    ESSER Forms

    To meet ESSER requirements, ɬÀï·¬has developed the following forms:

    • Justification/Documentation of Allowable Use of ESSER Funds: Complete this form to document activities funded with ESSER grant funds. The form is maintained locally and provided to ɬÀï·¬only upon request.
    • : RenovationsÌýand repairs that require pre-approval include HVAC, ventilation, and air quality costs. As of 12/19/2022, this form will be submitted via the .

    ESSER Planning Resources

    The Resilient Schools Support ProgramÌý(RSSP), one of TEA's Strong Start Resources,Ìýhas developed a COVID Recovery ESSER Planning Template (Excel and accessible PDF). This template is not a mandatory tool but an optional one you may use to align your funding plan to your LEA learning acceleration strategy.

    A more extensive Learning Acceleration Planning Workbook tool isÌýused by 75-plus LEAs in the RSSP.ÌýThe RSSP is currently supporting LEAs in developing stakeholder-informed learning acceleration plans based on data and is providing technical assistance to implement learning acceleration strategies (e.g., improved instructional strategies, interventions, high dosage tutoring, etc.). To learn more about the planning workbook, the learning acceleration strategies, or the RSSP, email RSSP@tea.texas.gov.