Background on ESSER – American Rescue Plan ACT
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) signed into law on March 11, 2021, provided
nearly $122 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ESSER).
ARP ESSER, also known as ESSER III, funds are provided to State educational
agencies in the same proportion as each State received under Title I-A of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in fiscal year (FY) 2020. The U.S.
Department of Education (ED) published Interim Final Requirements (IFR) on April 22,
2021 requiring Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) receiving ESSER III funds to submit
an LEA Plan for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services.