Funding Reference Guide
Sources for K-12 Public School Funding
In March 2021, the Department of Education announced that under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund, $122 billion will be allocated nationwide to address the many impacts of COVID-19 on K-12 education.
With this unprecedented amount of federal funding going into K-12 education, how can you use these new resources to help learners get caught up and set them up for success?
This quick reference guide will help schools and districts navigate these funds to purchase Responsive Learning materials that combat learning loss and drive student engagement.
ESSER and other government funds can be used to purchase Responsive Learning:
Responsive Learning follows the evidence-based Understanding by Design Framework by Jay McTigne and Grant Wiggins
Research shows that students who used PBL by Responsive Learning outperformed their peers by over +5 points
Our online platform allows schools to provide ALL students with equitable access to careers
3 Edtech Digest Awards (2020): Best Content Provider Solution, 21st Century Skills Solution and STEM Solution
Project-based lessons are available in Spanish and English
ESSER I/ESSER II
ESSER I/ESSER II funds are allocated to address the impact of COVID-19 on K-12 schools. Funds are provided as formula grants to states based on each state’s share of Title I funds received in the most recent fiscal year. Districts can use their ESSER I/ESSER II funds toward materials that address learning loss, formative and summative assessments, technology, professional development (PD), summer school activities, and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs.
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning offers a variety of products and services that directly correlate to ESSER I & II funding intentions, including addressing learning loss, authentic assessments, professional development, and summer school activities.
TITLE I, A
The Title I formula allocates funds to improve basic programs and ensure that economically and socially disadvantaged students receive equal opportunity access to a quality education. Title I funds can be used in a variety of ways to help students meet state academic standards, including investing in additional teachers, intervention programs, supplemental materials, technology, and professional development (PD).
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning’s namesake supplemental content system for K-12 education provides students with standards-aligned performance tasks that are rooted in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and influenced by the Understanding by Design Framework. Responsive Learning provides teachers with the educational and assessment tools needed to implement high-quality PBL. Our projects give ALL students equal opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to the real-world. To support usage and build teacher capacity for PBL, Responsive Learning delivers a comprehensive offering of professional development options for schools.
TITLE II
Title II funds are allocated to increase academic achievement by improving teacher and principal quality. Specifically, the funds may be used to increase the number of highly qualified teachers in classrooms; increase the number of highly qualified principals and assistant principals in schools; and increase the effectiveness of teachers and principals.
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning offers a variety of professional development options intended to strengthen school leadership and build teacher capacity. Simply put, Project-Based Learning (PBL) provides quality instruction to students and directly engages them in the content. Responsive Learning offers professional development options that focus on building foundational and advanced knowledge of PBL. Additionally, Responsive Learning’s series of Micro-Credentials allow school districts to recognize successful individual professional development course work.
TITLE III
Title III funds are allocated to help schools supplement their language instruction programs so students can gain proficiency in speaking, listening to, reading, and writing English. Funds are distributed to school districts based on the number of (English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant populations
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning’s namesake system for K-12 education provides teachers with the educational and assessment tools needed to implement high-quality PBL. Our projects give ALL students equal opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to the real-world – regardless of their proficiency in speaking, listening to, reading and writing in English. At the toggle of a button, all content within Responsive Learning can be translated to Spanish, and likewise back to English. Speech-to-Text features allow additional support to those students who may need it. In addition to Spanish, through the integration of Google Translate educators can translate Responsive Learning content to any language at the click of a button.
1003 School Improvement Funds
States determine whether to distribute these funds through competitive grants or by formula. School improvement funds are directed toward the states’ lowest performing schools for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI). All intervention, strategies, and activities funded by 1003a must be evidence-based.
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning products are developed based upon the Understanding by Design GRASPs framework (Goal, Role, Audience, Situation, Products, Standards) structure to provide students with the opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real world problems and challenges. The performance tasks encourage students to transfer knowledge. The Project Based Learning performance tasks address the Gold Standard Design Elements and teacher practices identified by PBL Works and supported by numerous research studies addressing student engagement and increased educational outcomes for students as related to content and 21st century skills.
Responsive Learning utilizes substantial research for its performance task design process, implementation strategies for teachers, and formative and summative assessment opportunities for teachers and students. This structure and associated processes increase educational outcomes for students, as related to content and 21st century skills.
Research Supporting Responsive Learning Design Elements and Teacher Practices to Increase Student Learning Outcomes can be provided when requested.
SSAE
The SSAE Grant is designed to help schools invest in programs that support safe and healthy students, well-rounded curriculum, and effective use of technology. Funds are distributed to local education agencies (LEAs) based on their Title I allocation. Districts must submit applications to the State describing how they plan to use the funds.
Using this funding for Responsive Learning: Responsive Learning has products that are perfect for SSAE-funded programs. Responsive Learning levels the playing field for ALL students, regardless of sex, age, race, or socio-economic background. Responsive Learning’s content is cross-curricular in nature, providing students with a well-rounded, engaging and enjoyable education. Student interaction with the Responsive Learning digital platform will help to develop their digital literacy and improve their overall academic achievement.