ESSER-funded initiatives supporting CCSD signs of recovery

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is seeing promising signs of pandemic recovery through investments supported by $777 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act (ARP ESSER III). As of October 2023, CCSD has used or committed 84 percent of the funds received.

As part of the ARP ESSER III Annual Use of Funds Report presented to the CCSD Board of School Trustees on Dec. 14, 2023, District leadership highlighted positive indicators that guided the decision-making for the investment of the pandemic funding. The 38-page report outlines the progress made and strategies put in place to continue supporting students’ recovery, and a video highlights our accomplishments here. 

“Ongoing recovery from the impacts of the pandemic will take additional time, and the results shared during the presentation give me hope that we are on the right track,” said CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara. “I salute our educators and support professionals for their committed focus on our students’ well-being and improving academic outcomes. I am grateful for the opportunity to make meaningful investments for our students’ immediate and life-long success.”

Key highlights from the report include:

• Immediate interventions and long-term investments supported upward trends in English language arts (ELA) in elementary and high schools and positive progress in mathematics for all student groups in grades 3-8.
  • New Tier I instructional materials in ELA, social studies, mathematics, and science.
  • Targeted, high-quality Tier II instruction and Reading Skills Centers at Transformation Network schools.
• $245 million invested in initiatives related to teachers, principals, and staff, as well as a priority focus on recruitment and retention in the short and long term.
  • Several programs provide access to continued education or the ability to earn teaching certifications at no cost.
  • Monetary retention bonuses supported the retention of employees faced with immense pandemic-related pressures, and relocation incentives supported the addition of over 2,000 new teachers.
  • Long-term investments in teacher professional learning, pipelines, and pathways to teaching and teacher leadership pathways.
• Slightly positive trends in chronic absenteeism rates and students reporting positive relationships at school were impacted by immediate interventions related to student wellness, mental health, and safety.
  • Wraparound services like Crisis Response Teams at every school, mental health services, parental resources, and use of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.
  • A crisis alert system that enables schools to improve preparedness and response efforts.
  • All school sites equipped with a universal visitor management system to screen visitors, volunteers, and vendors. 
• Parent and community voices have been critical in developing the CCSD ARP ESSER III spending plan and continue through implementation.
  • CCSD partnered with community nonprofit organizations to provide wraparound services and academic support opportunities.
  • More than 270,000 students and families utilized resources from providers.
  • Families and community members can access data through the new CCSD Data Dashboard tool at data.ccsd.net. 
• The community and stakeholders are encouraged to continue viewing updates on ESSER-related information and funding by CCSD at future.ccsd.net.

Additional details and examples of ARP ESSER III investments may be found here. 

To learn more about the Clark County School District, visit ccsd.net.