Easy ways to meet ESSER III consultation requirements
Written by Ashley Peterson-DeLuca
Ashley Peterson-DeLuca, a senior advisor here at Forthright, has spent hours (and we mean HOURS) reading federal policy, along with state and district plans for ESSER funds—so you don’t have to. As an expert in educational leadership, she shares advice on how to blend requirements for gathering public input on ESSER III plans with your district’s long-term strategic goals.
The massive influx of federal funds meant to help schools recover from COVID-19’s effects—known as ESSER funding—is a lifeline for districts. But, as any seasoned public employee knows…there’s no such thing as free money. The ESSER III funds come with a few strings attached.
To even get approval to access ESSER III funds, each district is required to: “engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders and...provide the public the opportunity to provide input in the development of the LEA’s plan for the use of ARP ESSER funds and take such input into account.”
OOF. Even reading that line was hard! But what it boils down to is important: getting family feedback.
For leaders hoping to rebuild trust with district stakeholders, this is good news. Many parents and guardians want to get involved in how their district spends ESSER funds. In just one example, Delaney Susi, a mom from North Carolina, told the News & Observer:
“I’m hoping that whoever has authority over how to use those funds will talk to the folks on the ground—parents and organized groups like PTA and principals, and school staff to find out what schools need because each school really knows what their community needs.”
This is a fantastic opportunity! District leaders like you can use the feedback requirement as an opportunity to forge relationships with families in your community, rather than just checking a box. Here are a few ideas for how to make your ESSER III consultation meaningful.
Be Transparent
Parents are stressed about how their child’s school leaders and their district leaders are handling the pandemic’s effects. According to a recent national PTA survey, 60 percent of parents reported being somewhat or a lot worried about their children contracting COVID-19 at school, and 58 percent are worried about future disruptions to their children’s learning.
As we’ve talked about before, people grant trust based on two things: delivering on promises and doing the right thing. Standing up a meaningful feedback process gives you the opportunity to take important steps to earn parents’ trust:
Show how you’re using these funds to deliver on your goals for the district.
Be transparent early and often about your planning and how you’re making decisions to spend federal money to help students.
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Seek Out Families You Don’t Normally Hear From
If you only post your ESSER plan on your website and email a survey, you will likely only hear from parents who are already engaged. Meaningful feedback means taking it a step further.
As we shared in our popular free Guide to Reaching Families Without Internet download, there are great ways to reach this audience. Try these strategies:
Texting
Phone calls
Direct mail
Radio
Get your school staff—principals and teachers—actively involved in asking for feedback. Pew Research Center found that school principals are some of the most trusted professionals in the country. This makes them great spokespeople for your district as you do this critical work!
Share FAQs and talking points with school staff to ensure they know what you’re doing and why—cutting down on potential confusion in your community.
Ask staff and educators to follow up with parents to make sure they’ve shared input.
Send home flyers in students’ backpacks.
Show Families You’re Listening
Research found that watching school board meetings where there are open conversations between the board and parents increases trust and willingness to attend future school board meetings. Basically, if people think you aren't going to listen then they are less likely to share meaningful feedback. But, if you show that you listen and care, people will start participating in a positive way. Here’s a few ways to do this:
Whether in a school board meeting, on social media or during school listening sessions, publicly respond to questions and ideas in real time.
Put together virtual focus groups, rather than just a survey.
And of course, once you get family input, demonstrate that you heard what they had to say. Circle back with families to show them you value their feedback and have incorporated it into your ESSER plans.
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