In response to COVID-19, and its potential impact on student learning, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) was signed into law by the federal government on March 11, 2021 and provided nearly $122 billion for Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ESSER) for schools across the nation.

Tennessee is set to receive approximately $20-30 billion in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan, with more than $3.3 billion dedicated to K-12 and higher education. Given the significant student needs during the pandemic and through the recovery, Tennessee has the opportunity to address those needs and also invest in a strong, durable recovery for student instructional time and learning.

Wilson County Schools is applying to receive approximately 12.5 million dollars of ESSER 3.0 funds to address unfinished learning and COVID-19 recovery. Federal guidance states that all funds must be spent in the prevention, preparation, and response to COVID-19. These funds are designated for one-time or short-term expenditures to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic. There is also a federal requirement that at least 20% of these funds (2.5 million) must target learning loss due to school closures.

Check back here for more information and updates as they become available.

Additional Resources:

US Department of Education Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education

ESSER 3.0 Federal Relief Spending Plan

Overall plan for ESSER expenditures submitted to the Tennessee Department of Education.

ESSER Federal Relief Spending Plan (English)

• Spending Plan Addendum #1 (English)
  
• Spending Plan Addendum #2 (English)
  
• Spending Plan Addendum #3 (English)

ESSER Federal Relief Spending Plan (Spanish)

• Spending Plan Addendum #2 (Spanish)

ESSER Federal Relief Spending Plan (Arabic)

• Spending Plan Addendum #2 (Arabic)

ESSER Health and Safety Plan

The ESSER Health and Safety Plan describes the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services.

WCS ESSER Health and Safety Plan (English)

• Health and Safety Addendum #1 (English)
• Health and Safety Addendum #2 (English)
• Health and Safety Addendum #3 (English)

WCS ESSER Health and Safety Plan (Spanish)

• Health and Safety Addendum #2 (Spanish)

WCS ESSER Health and Safety Plan (Arabic)

• Health and Safety Addendum #2 (Arabic)

ESSER 3.0 Needs Assessment

WCS ESSER 3.0 Needs Assessment (English)

WCS ESSER 3.0 Needs Assessment (Spanish)

WCS ESSER 3.0 Needs Assessment (Arabic)

ESSER Community Engagement Checklist

WCS ESSER Community Engagement Checklist (English)

WCS ESSER Community Engagement Checklist (Spanish)

WCS ESSER Community Engagement Checklist (Arabic)

ESSER Survey Results for Addendum #1 - June 2022