Published: September 21, 2021

Using ESSER Funds for GuidEd Insight

GuidEd Insight is aware of the continually shifting funding sources and difficulty districts face finding and procuring funds for data and equity solutions like ours. Your State Educational Agency (SEA) has received America Recovery Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds to implement tools such as GuidEd Insight. It’s important to note, in almost all cases:

• Your SEA has specific instructions for school districts regarding access to ESSER funds.
• Your School District likely provides templates or guidance on how to access funds.

We have resources to help you navigate requirements and advocate for use of ESSER funds for the purchase of the equity, data driven tool: GuidEd Insight.

GuidEd Insight helps address the needs of historically marginalized populations. As a result, ESSER funds can be used from either the 80% of unrestricted funds OR the 20% of funds specifically designated to address the needs of historically marginalized populations. This is due to GuidEd Insight providing data transformation crucial to any evidence based program’s ability to assess the impact of the pandemic on a High School’s post-secondary success programs.

In addition, it’s important to note that funds can be spent over time through 2024*. This is a vital part of planning your use of the GuidEd Insight tool as the year-over-year comparison of post-secondary data is important to understand if efforts to close equity gaps are successful.

Keys for using ESSER Funds:

• ESSER Funds are meant to have minimal restrictions (only 20% of funds are restricted user*).
• GuidEd Insight qualifies for funding through ESSER resources unless your district or State Entity has restricted fund use (unlikely)
• Many districts and state entities have guidelines for accessing ESSER Funds, GuidEd Insight can help you navigate that process.

*When making decisions about how to use ESSER funds, States and LEAs are encouraged to take into consideration how the funds can be used to address inequities, including focusing supports and services on students from low-income families, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, migratory students, children who are incarcerated, and other underserved students who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Please reach out with any questions

We are ready and willing to help you navigate your procurement process and get data driven decisions into your equity planning efforts.

Alex.jean.baptiste@guidedinsight.org | 253-372-2063

Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Authority for use of funds under restriction must be reviewed and granted by your local governing body.

* Referenced Resource:
View the full set of allowable activities for ESSER Funds on the office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Education Counsel websites