Blog Post

ESSER will soon expire. How can you maximize funds before time runs out?

The deadline to use the final round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds is approaching, but it’s not too late to identify resources and make the most out of this grant. If your school still has funds left to spend, it is critical to maximize this opportunity to continue improving student learning.

Schools need to identify commitments to spend ESSER III funds by Sept. 30, 2024. However, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced that school districts can request an extension for using or liquidating funds to March 2026.

This funding was designed to provide schools with resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Approximately $190 billion in aid was allocated to states and school districts across the United States in an effort to address educational issues and the needs of students most impacted by the pandemic.

With the goal of advancing equity in education, ESSER funds should be prioritized towards proven, high-impact solutions that create equity and improve outcomes for all students. This includes activities that prioritize the well-being and continued learning of staff. According to the latest ESSER Annual Performance Report published in 2023, over 2,700 school districts allocated funds for “mental health support” including professional development in fiscal year 2021.

Focusing on pragmatic leadership development can be an effective use of ESSER funds to ensure teachers and staff are equipped with the skills and resources needed to sustain equitable and excellent schools. It can also better prepare your team for challenges that may arise in the future.

Using ESSER Funds for the LENS Program:

At BES, we believe that an excellent school leader Identifies and takes full advantage of coaching and support for themself and intentionally develops a leadership bench. ESSER funds can help school leaders accomplish this through programs like LENS.

The LENS leadership development program at BES is year-long, part-time training and coaching designed to prepare participants to lead with equity and advance their leadership potential within their schools. Since 2012, nearly 400 school leaders across the country have participated in LENS, and approximately 3 out of 4 LENS participants have moved into heightened leadership roles after completing the program.

We welcome participants from public charter schools and traditional public schools. LENS leaders hold various roles, including School Directors, Executive Directors, Heads of School, Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors (Operations, Curriculum, Instruction, Culture, etc.), Deans, Grade-Level or Department Chairs, and Teacher Leaders.

In the program, participants study the best practices of successful schools from across the nation and take part in robust training and skill-building exercises differentiated to the leader’s role and school. They learn how to manage, inspire, and develop adults; set strong student and staff culture (including routines and systems); and deliver culturally relevant instruction.

The LENS program structure consists of the following:

Cohort-based program that provides a structured network of support with LENS cohort colleagues.
Comprehensive, in-person and virtual training led by expert coaches that is tailored to the leaders’ various and specific roles.
Biweekly 1:1 remote coaching with BES coach, including observations and feedback via live Zoom or recorded video.
Two in-person cohort visits to study schools that have equity-centered practices and demonstrated excellent results.
Access to exemplar resources from schools across the U.S.
Capstone project and frequent samples of practice aligned to leader role and goals.

The 2024-25 LENS program will begin July 2024. Participants must be registered by their school leader. Learn more at bes.org/lens.

If you are interested in participating in LENS and would like to bring this opportunity to your school decision-maker, check out this guide on how you can advocate for your professional development.