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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 

Planning Beyond ESSER – Sustainable Funding for High-Impact Tutoring Programs

As ESSER funding gradually sunsets, school and district leaders face the challenge of sustaining high-impact tutoring programs that have been vital in bridging learning gaps. The ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds provided critical support, enabling schools to implement tutoring programs that drove meaningful gains in student performance.

With recent ESSER extension approvals, there’s a crucial opportunity for schools to plan ahead. Here’s how to leverage remaining ESSER funding strategically and explore alternative K-12 funding sources for sustainable, high-impact tutoring programs.

Why High-Impact Tutoring Works: The ESSER Role in Academic Recovery

ESSER funds supported essential academic recovery efforts, with three major funding rounds:

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

High-impact tutoring has emerged as a key intervention, consistently shown to improve student outcomes. According to the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA), high-impact tutoring—characterized by frequent, relationship-based sessions—yields significant learning gains, as evidenced in over 150 studies.

 
"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. 

 

Extending ESSER Funding: Recent Federal Updates

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.


K-12 Funding Strategies to Sustain High-Impact Tutoring Programs

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. 

Ensuring Long-Term Success for High-Impact Tutoring Programs


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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