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Sustaining High-Impact Tutoring: K-12 Funding Strategies for School and District Leaders Post-ESSER

by Connie Warren on Aug 29, 2024 10:30:00 AM

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A sweeping sigh of relief erupts from districts nationwide as the U.S. Education Dept. approves all requests to extend ESSER funding.

But what now?

Planning Beyond ESSER –  Sustainable Tutoring Program Funding 

The pandemic highlighted the critical role of high-impact tutoring in supporting student achievement. With ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, schools across the nation were able to implement and expand these tutoring programs, resulting in notable improvements in student performance.
 
Thankfully, all ESSER extension requests were granted, giving schools more time to build sustainability plans. However, the clock is still ticking. As ESSER funding sunsets, school and district leaders must explore sustainable education funding strategies to continue high-impact tutoring programs that have proven essential for student achievement. 


The Role of ESSER in High-Impact Tutoring

 
ESSER funding provided unprecedented support to K-12 education, allowing schools to address immediate needs and implement high-impact tutoring programs. These funds were allocated through three major acts:

  • CARES Act (ESSER I): $13.2 billion allocated in March 2020.
  • CRRSA Act (ESSER II): $54.3 billion allocated in December 2020.
  • American Rescue Plan (ARP ESSER or ESSER III): $122 billion allocated in March 2021.

This funding enabled schools to partner with tutoring services like BookNook, purchase technology, and provide targeted interventions that significantly improved student outcomes.


High-Impact Tutoring is Closing the Achievement Gap

 
As educators, we found something that works, but what we need is more time. According to the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA), there is trusted, compelling evidence that supports the effectiveness of high-impact tutoring. But just as education was beginning to refocus from the trauma of the pandemic and see real results, there was a danger of 'losing' the funding used to support it. 
 
"Eight meta-analyses including over 150 studies consistently find that intensive, relationship-based, individualized instruction – or high-impact tutoring – results in substantial additional learning for students."
~ NSSA

National Student Support Accelerator

~ NSSA
The image shows a bar chart comparing the average months of additional learning in elementary literacy and high school math across three different interventions: Tutoring, Technology Support, and Class Size Reduction/Curricula/PD. For Elementary Literacy: Tutoring provides 4.6 months of additional learning. Technology Support offers 0.9 months. Class Size Reduction/Curricula/PD gives 2.1 months. For High School Math: Tutoring leads with 10.0 months of additional learning. Technology Support provides 3.2 months. Class Size Reduction/Curricula/PD contributes 1.2 months. Tutoring significantly outperforms the other methods in both categories.

 

📚 Not all tutoring programs meet the NSSA criteria for being called "high-impact." Visit our website to learn more about BookNook's high-impact tutoring solution. 

 

Recent Updates on Federal Initiatives and Extensions

Recognizing the ongoing need for academic recovery, the U.S. Department of Education has approved requests from states and districts to extend the spending deadlines for ESSER funds. States with approved extensions now have an additional 14 months beyond the original deadlines to liquidate their allocations, allowing them to sustain their high-impact tutoring programs longer.


These extensions, granted under the Tydings Amendment, apply to funds from all three ESSER allocations, including the most recent and largest, ARP ESSER. As of August 2024, Delaware and Puerto Rico have received ESSER-ARP spending extensions, and more states are expected to follow. This additional time is crucial for districts still navigating labor shortages or other challenges that have impacted spending.


Preparing for the Post-ESSER Transition

With ESSER extensions already granted under the Tydings Amendment, school and district leaders now have up to 14 additional months to utilize these funds. It is crucial to maximize this extension period by focusing on strategic planning, prioritizing critical needs, and ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations. 

  1. Develop a comprehensive plan to prioritize spending and identify critical needs. Focus on projects that may require extended funding and plan accordingly to ensure these needs are met within allowable timelines.
  2. Explore a variety of funding sources beyond federal grants, including state funds, local bonds, private grants, and partnerships with non-profit organizations. This diversification reduces reliance on any single funding source and provides financial stability. 
  3.  Leverage virtual tutoring platforms like BookNook to extend the reach of existing resources. Technology can help reduce costs associated with in-person tutoring while still delivering high-quality instruction. 
  4.  Engage with state and federal lawmakers to advocate for continued or new funding streams dedicated to high-impact tutoring. Providing evidence of success stories and student improvement data can be persuasive in these efforts. 

High-impact tutoring has proven to be a vital tool in addressing learning loss and supporting student achievement. As ESSER funds extend but continue to near expiration,  proactive post-ESSER planning and seeking alternative Federal Education Grants are crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of high-impact tutoring programs in K-12 education.

Many states are already on board, recognizing the impact and importance of high-impact tutoring. Over 40 states and counting have answered the call for a more sustainable solution following ESSER.
 
The image shows a U.S. map highlighting states that have earmarked funds for high-impact tutoring post-ESSER. These states are marked in blue, indicating their recognition of the importance of sustaining tutoring efforts even after the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds. The text in the image notes that 40 states have set aside money for tutoring since the pandemic, and many have pledged to continue funding these efforts in the future.

 

For more detailed information and specific guidelines, schools should visit the U.S. Department of Education and their respective State Department of Education websites.
Topics: Education Policy & Funding

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