As educators, you’re likely aware that there are funds being allocated to schools and districts across the country as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the COVID relief bills that have been signed into law over the last several years. However many teachers and schools may not be aware of how much money is available, how to access it, or when funds are available. While the requests for funds take place at the state and district levels, it is still important for teachers to understand the process, and—especially for music educators—how to ensure that your programs can be supported and communicate your needs. Below is essential information and a list of resources for teachers to better understand the ESSA and the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER I, II, and III).

What is ESSA?

ESSA stands for Every Student Succeeds Act. It is the federal legislation that governs elementary and secondary education in the United States and ESSA consists of 9 titles. Music education is most concerned with Titles I, II, and IV.

Title IV, Part A (the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant, or SSAEG Program) serves to improve students academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies, schools and local communities to: 

• Provide all students with access to a well-rounded education. Which now specifically includes music.
  
• Improve school conditions for student learning.
  
• Improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.
  

Learn more about ESSA at Everything ESSA – NAfME.

What is ESSER I?

When the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020, the Department of Education allocated $30.75 billion in funds to a fund called the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). Of the money set aside for the ESF, $13.2 billion was allotted to Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds. The remaining funds from the ESF were allocated between Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) and Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER).

The ESSER grants are awarded to State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and school districts, or Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), must apply to their respective SEA to receive the funds.

What is ESSER II? 

The second COVID relief bill, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. This bill extended and modified several provisions in the CARES Act, and authorized an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER II).

Note: ESSER II funds cannot be used until original ESSER funds are spent. ESSER funds are still available—check out this dashboard of ESSER funding that has been allocated and spent by each state and territory.

What is ESSER III?

The third COVID relief bill, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), was enacted March 11, 2021. This bill expanded on ESSER I and II by authorizing an additional $122 billion for the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds. (ESSER III)

For ESSER III funds, LEAs must use at least 20% of funds to address learning loss through evidence-based interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. Music education supports the social and emotional well-being of students, whether through distance learning or in person. For more information, visit NAfME’s ESSER Funding Toolkit 2021 – COVID Relief Funding in the Music Classroom. 

How much money is available for each state?

ESSER, ESSER II, and ESSER III Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

To track funds and see a state-by-state breakdown, refer to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Tracker. Also see the Stabilization Fund Tracker.

What is the timeline for applying for and receiving funds?

ESSER I funds are available through September 30, 2022. The SEAs began receiving funds from the Department of Education last Spring, and funds are being dispersed to LEAs in April–June 2021. SEAs must award the ESSER funds to LEAs within one year of receiving the state allocation. Any funds that SEAs fail to award by the one-year deadline must be returned to the Department for reallocation consistent with the CARES Act.

ESSER II funds are available for obligation by SEAs through September 30, 2023. SEAs must also award ESSER II funds within one year of receiving them.

ESSER III funds are available for obligation by SEAs through September 30, 2024. 

For more information and a timeline of using ESSER Funds, view this FAQ Doc and this Fact Sheet from the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education. 

How can music programs use the funds?

Funding can be used for health and safety, cleaning and sanitation, facility improvements, technology, instructional support, and summer programs. Schools must prove that the district (LEA) can conduct music programs safely virtually and/or in-person. Uses may include:

• Additional/replacement instruments and equipment to avoid student sharing
  
• Technology, EdTech devices, and software for virtual learning
  
• Supplies for cleaning and sanitation (for instruments, equipment, rooms)
  
• Facilities improvements
  
• Instructional support
  
• Summer and remediation programs for students
  
• Purchase bell covers, masks, PPE for in-person use
  
• Teacher training for re-opening & in-person instruction
  
• Pay for teachers who can help with remedial instruction (eg. private, adjunct, PT or FT personnel)
  
• Materials to create social distancing environments e.g. outdoor tents, media cart, microphones, projectors, and more
  

For an extensive list of eligible costs, visit NAfME’s COVID Relief Funding in the Music Classroom.

Who is eligible for ESSER Funds? 

Public, Charter, and Nonprofit K-12 schools. 

Who should teachers contact regarding the status of a school or district’s funds? 

Teachers should contact Visual & Performing Arts Coordinators, principals, and/or other liaisons who communicate with the district (LEA). 

Links and Resources:

• ESSER Fund Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Tracker
  
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER
  
• Education Stabilization Fund (ESF)
  
• NAfME Esser Resources
  
• CARES Act Funding Available for Your Music Program – YEB
  
• New Federal Relief for Education in the American Rescue Plan
  

Music Education Advocacy Resources

• SmartMusic Music Ed Advocacy Blogs
  
• Alfred Music Music Ed Advocacy Blogs
  
• NAfME’s Local Advocacy Toolkit
  
• SmartMusic’s Educator Toolkit
  

The COVID relief legislation provides the largest amount of funding that the federal government has ever granted to K-12 schools. As music teachers, you are the best advocates for your programs, and the best representatives to communicate you and your students’ needs. We encourage music educators to engage with their school’s administrators to ensure that their programs are supported and accounted for.