BLOGS > JULY 29, 2021
BY LAURA BYARS, MANAGER ACADEMIC CONSULTANTS
What is ESSER?
Since March 2020, Congress has signed into law three COVID-relief plans directing $190.6 billion to state education agencies through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.
States are required to distribute 90% of ESSER funds to local school districts. Each plan also provides funding for non-public schools, either as part of ESSER funding or under separate assistance programs.
How can I use ESSER funding?
The most recent DOE ESSER FAQ notes that ESSER funding can be spent on allowable uses identified for ANY of the three ESSER funds and provides a consolidated list. Broad categories include:
Where would my ESSER funds make the most impact?
To accelerate learning due to lost instructional time, teachers will need access to high-quality content. Resources will be needed as districts provide extended learning opportunities such as after-school programs and summer school.
School and district leaders will need books for at-home reading – for parents to read aloud to their children and for children to read independently. To address gaps in Grades K-2 early literacy, teachers will need access to resources, such as science and social studies books, that help teach and reinforce important foundational literacy skills.
Denise Cobb-Williams, Director of Elementary Curriculum at Walton County School District in Georgia, is addressing the COVID gap in literacy skills. For her, the need is especially great for students in Grades K-2 where foundational literacy skills like letter sounds are not easily taught and learned via Zoom.
Also, while no child has been untouched by COVID-19, the impact is greater for some student groups. Culturally relevant and inclusive resources will be needed to help teachers create positive learning environments and engage all students in learning.
How long do I have to spend ESSER funds?
The following chart identifies deadlines for states to award ESSER funds to districts along with dates by which districts must obligate funds. According to the May 2021 DOE ESSER FAQ, ESSER funds do not need to be spent in a particular order. Rather, districts are encouraged to be mindful that each ESSER fund has a different period of availability. The activities the funds are spent on can extend beyond the date by which the funds must be obligated.
We have answers and resources to help get you started with ESSER Funding. Speak to a representative today.
Laura Byars
Laura Byars has been with Follett for seven years and is the manager of the Follett Academic Consultants. She is a former educator with a master’s degree in teaching and a master’s degree in reading and literacy. Before Follett, Laura taught science, middle school language arts, and a summer reading intervention program in a high-performing school district in the western Chicago suburbs. In her free time, Laura enjoys cooking, traveling, running, and biking with her husband and family.
Best-Selling SEL Professional Development from Norton Books in Education
May 19, 2026
Cutting-edge research continues to confirm that teaching students social and emotional skills provides enduring behavioral and learning benefits for academic and lifelong success. These hands-on professional development titles from Norton provide school leaders and classroom teachers in Grades K-12 with SEL tools and strategies grounded...
Read more
The Adult Title Fulfillment Gap in Public Libraries – and What It Means for Collection Development
May 18, 2026
For decades, a major player in the public library space was one of the most relied-upon sources for adult print titles.When that leading library book vendor exited the public library distribution market, it created a gap that collections professionals are...
Read more
Long hold queues for new releases? Here's how libraries are solving it.
May 11, 2026
It’s one of the most visible measures of patron satisfaction in a public library: the holds list. When a highly anticipated adult title is released and dozens – sometimes hundreds – of patrons are waiting for a handful of copies,...
Read more
What's a street date program for public libraries, and why does it matter?
May 4, 2026
If you manage adult collections at a public library, you already know the pressure that builds before a highly anticipated book comes out. Holds lists grow long. Patrons ask at the desk. And when release day finally arrives, the copies...
Read more
Follett Content is Back as an Approved Vendor for NYC School Libraries
March 23, 2026
New York City (NYC) school libraries operate at scale and benefit from partners who do the same. Follett Content is once again an approved vendor (#ECO004000), offering support that simplifies ordering while maintaining consistency, including:Local, on-site support with experience assisting school...
Read more
Why Home Libraries Matter: How Books at Home Improve Student Reading Achievement
March 4, 2026
Reading growth doesn’t only happen during the school day. One of the most effective, research-backed ways to support literacy is ensuring students have consistent access to books at home. When students can read outside the classroom – during evenings, weekends, and...
Read more