Our Products Qualify for ESSER Funding
Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), more than $120 billion was allocated to support K-12 education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. The deadline for ESSER III submissions is set for the 30th of September, 2024.
How Makeblock Qualifies for ESSER Funding
Below is a list of eligible uses for ESSER funding and a list of Makeblock products that can be used for those uses.
Any activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(A) through Section 2001(e)(2)(D).
Acquiring ed-tech tools, including both hardware and software solutions, as well as ensuring internet access for the LEA's student body to facilitate meaningful educational engagement between teachers and students. This is particularly aimed at supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special needs, potentially encompassing both assistive and adaptive technologies. Referenced in the ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(K).
Organizing and executing activities for both summer education and extended after-school learning, focusing on delivering either in-person or virtual educational programs during summer breaks to cater to the educational requirements of students from underprivileged sectors, including those with disabilities, English language learners, migrant children, youths without homes, and those in the foster care system, as outlined in the ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(M).
Tackling the educational setbacks faced by students across various groups through:
- Conducting detailed and reliable evaluations to understand students' academic levels and helping teachers tailor their approaches to individual learning needs.
- Applying proven strategies to fulfill the diverse requirements of students.
- Offering guidance and resources to families for enhancing their children's educational experiences.
- Monitoring the academic progress and participation of students in remote learning setups. Referenced in ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(N).
Recommended Resources: Integrating Makeblock robot kits and laser engravers, and mBlock coding software in classrooms to bolster learning outcomes and student participation.
Furthermore, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocated more than $120 billion to support K-12 education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.
Key Points
- State Education Agencies (SEAs) are required to distribute 90% of ESSER funds to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) based on the Title I allocation formula. The deadline for states to submit their distribution plans was set for June 7, 2021. State plans can be found here.
- For SEAs and LEAs to allocate these funds, they must adhere to two crucial criteria.
- Effort Preservation: For the fiscal years 2022 and 2023, state funding for K-12 must not fall below the average support level calculated over 2017-2019.
- Equity Preservation: In the fiscal years 2022 and 2023, states are prohibited from cutting the per-student funding in any school district serving a high number of students from low-income families.
- Furthermore, 20% of the funds are earmarked for combating “learning loss,” with an expectation that LEAs will allocate a significant portion of this to tackle gaps in student learning. School districts are granted significant leeway in determining the use of these funds.
- The obligation deadlines for the ESSER I, II, and III funds are September 30, 2022, September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2024, respectively.
Additional details about the ESSER funding are available in a specific fact sheet and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.