Using ARP Funds to Support Out-of-School Time Learning

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides three State-level reservations for activities and interventions that respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs:

• 5 percent of the total ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) allocation for the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed specifically at addressing learning loss, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs.
• 1 percent of the total ARP ESSER allocation for evidence-based summer enrichment programs.
• 1 percent of the total ARP ESSER allocation for evidence-based comprehensive afterschool programs.

In addition, LEAs must reserve not less than 20 percent of their ARP ESSER allocations to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions.

Interventions designed to address learning loss, such as those described above, must respond to students' social, emotional, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups, specifically: students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, English learners, students who are migratory, students experiencing homelessness, students in correctional facilities, and students in foster care. In addition to information found here, examples can be found in Volume 2 of the Department's COVID-19 Handbook.

The Department has published a variety of resources related to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, including Frequently Asked Questions (the May 26, 2021 FAQ is available here.)