During 2020 and 2021, the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) received federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on pre-k through grade 12 education. In addition to being used at the state level, this funding is distributed to districts and charter schools to support learning as well as the social emotional needs of students, educators, and families across the state.

ESSER funding has been authorized under three different stimulus bills and is commonly known as ESSER I, II and III.

ESSER III Funding

To date, ESSER III is the largest amount of emergency ESSER funding given to public education. Two-thirds of ESSER III funds are immediately available for states to distribute to districts and charter schools. Remaining funds will be made available once states, districts and charters develop ESSER III implementation plans. Under ESSER III:

  • DDOE, districts and charter schools are working together to develop strategic ESSER III plans that follow specific federal spending guidelines. Plans must be acted upon with urgency and with priority given to students who have experienced the greatest disruptions in learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • States receive ESSER III funds based on the same proportion that each state receives under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title-IA.
  • Districts and charters must reserve at least 20% of ESSER III funds to address learning loss.
  • DDOE must reserve ESSER III funds at the state level as follows: 5% to address learning loss, 1% for afterschool activities, 1% for summer learning programs.
  • DDOE has the option to reserve 10% of ESSER III funds for emergency needs as determined by the state plan to address issues responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ESSER III FAQs – Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about ESSER III and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) program.

State Spending Plan

The Delaware ESSER III Plan was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. Ed) on Monday, June 14, 2021. Based on federal feedback, Section E3 of the plan was updated and re-submitted to U.S. Ed on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Section D was updated and re-submitted to U.S. Ed on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022.

To ensure that the needs of students and communities were best reflected in state and local ESSER plans, DDOE engaged with and compiled feedback from students, parents, educators and stakeholders across the state. All feedback was provided at a conversation with the secretary and deputy secretary  in May 2022, during which the public was again given the opportunity to share feedback before the plan was finalized by DDOE.

Delaware district/charter learning mode information helped to further inform the state’s ESSER III plan. This information includes: 1) The number of schools in the state providing each mode of instruction, 2) Student enrollment data for each mode of instruction by all students and disaggregated by subgroup, and 3) Student attendance data.

District, Charter Spending Plans

District and charter ESSER III plans were submitted to DDOE in August 2021. DDOE worked closely with districts and charter schools to provide guidance and resources around planning that targets all students and makes a difference over the next three years. Districts and charter schools were required to seek broad public input when developing their ESSER III plans. These spending plans are in addition to the statuary requirement that districts and charters also develop plans for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services.

District and charter plans are linked below as they become available on their corresponding district/charter websites. Please note: These plans are continually updated to include district and charter modifications, as needed.

Local Maintenance of Equity Requirement

Local maintenance of equity (MOEquity) is a federal fiscal requirement that applies to all districts and charters that receive funding under the grants authorized by section 2001 of the ARP.  DDOE is required to publish the following MOEquity data on its website:

The identity of each Delaware district and charter that is excepted from MOEquity requirements for each of the following reasons:

  1. The district/charter has a total enrollment of less than 1,000 students.
  2. The district/charter operates a single school.
  3. The district/charter serves all students within each grade span with a single school.
  4. The district/charter has notified DDOE that the district/charter demonstrates an exceptional and uncontrollable circumstance under section 2004 of the ARP Act and has not implemented an aggregate reduction in combined State and local per-pupil funding.
  5. The district/charter has been granted an exception from maintenance of equity requirements by the US Department of Education (USED) due to an exceptional or uncontrollable circumstance under section 2004 of the ARP Act and USED has informed DDOE of this exception.

All Delaware’s LEAs are excepted from FY23 MOEquity requirements. View additional MOEquity requirements and exceptions.

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service Plans

Districts and charter schools are required to post online their Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service Plans. Currently available plans are listed below. These plans will be continually updated as appropriate.

ESSER Financial Transparency Report

The U.S. Department of Education recommends providing the public with transparent information regarding how Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds are spent.  Delaware’s ESSER Financial Transparency tool provides that information by tracking expenditure data.  Use the ESSER Financial Transparency Report instructions to review allocation and spending details in the ESSER Financial Transparency Report. Any questions regarding district or charter expenditures should be directed to the district or charter’s business office.