ESSER is expiring - now what?

What is ESSER funding?

ESSER is an acronym for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education explains that starting March 27th, 2020, Congress set aside funding to support schools through the Coronavirus pandemic. Another two relief acts were signed into law on December 27, 2020, and March 11, 2021, respectively. Together they provided a total of $190 billion to support schools in recovering from the pandemic. They supported the shift to online learning, added safety measures, and addressed learning loss. 

When we say “ESSER is expiring” it means that the time that the funds can be used is coming to an end. Schools must commit to a use for all ESSER funds by September 2024, or they will be forced to forfeit them. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains that combined with other factors like elevated costs and the use of vouchers “the loss of ESSER funds could have severe implications for students, including risking teacher layoffs, school closures, and the loss of crucial student programming.” Despite this looming threat some districts still have untapped funds. These districts must allocate their funds as soon as possible to avoid losing them. 

How will the end of ESSER impact education?

The end of ESSER funds means that old and new financial challenges will arise for schools. Education is known for being underfunded as is. This infusion helped solve some problems, albeit temporarily. Schools across the U.S. used ESSER funds to raise teacher salaries or hire new teachers. However, without this money, they can no longer afford the staff anymore. This means that despite not being able to fill positions, they will need to lay off their teachers. 

ESSER was mainly delegated to combat learning loss. The Thomas B Fordham Institute highlights that despite emergency efforts, there was still significant learning loss through the pandemic. In order to combat this, schools hired tutors and therapists, extended the school day, and expanded summer and after-school programs. With the loss of funding, these programs will cease to exist. 

However, there are steps that schools can take to find sustainable solutions. To maximize learning, schools will need certified, long-term teachers who can guarantee there will be no additional learning loss. Districts need a cost-effective educational strategy to move away from emergency relief to a sustainable education model. 

How does Synchronous Learning help? 

Proximity Learning Inc. (PLI) is a company that strives to fill the vacancies caused by the teacher shortage with certified virtual teachers. We aim to increase educational equity through synchronous instruction. The method of synchronous learning PLI employs requires a facilitator in the classroom and a virtual teacher. While the teacher is virtual, they are state-certified and interact with the students on a daily basis. They teach live with the support of the facilitator and build connections in the school and district. 

The advantages of synchronous learning don’t stop there. Our teachers teach live synchronous lessons so the students can get immediate feedback. It allows them to collaborate with each other daily as opposed to constant individual work. They have external motivation to get their work done as well as structured study time. 

Each teacher can adapt to each school's curriculum and keep students on par with their peers. Additionally, there is facilitated communication between the teachers and parents as if the teacher were an in-person teacher. All of these aspects make PLI the most effective response to the teacher shortage. 

How does Proximity Learning help with vacancies?

Proximity Learning addresses teacher vacancies by providing live, certified virtual instructors to fill gaps in K-12 education. The synchronous online teaching model ensures that students receive high-quality instruction in real-time, tailored to the school's curriculum and standards. This solution helps maintain educational continuity and improves student outcomes even in the face of staffing shortages.​

The first step in addressing teacher vacancies is to clearly identify the specific needs and gaps within your school. We partner with school administrators to conduct detailed needs assessments, ensuring that we understand the unique challenges your school is facing. 

Once we’ve identified the areas of need, the next step is to integrate Proximity Learning's virtual teachers into your existing educational framework. Starting from our seamless onboarding, the comprehensive training will guarantee clear and regular communication between online and in-person faculty. Our team will guide you through setting up the necessary technology, scheduling classes, and preparing for the transition to virtual instruction. We also regularly monitor student progress to guarantee optimal learning outcomes. 

What are the core values of Proximity Learning? 

At PLI we are dedicated to guaranteeing equity in education. This means ensuring all students have access to high-quality education. We especially focus on bridging the gap between different socioeconomic backgrounds through our standardized synchronous instruction model. By using a standardized curriculum taught by certified teachers we maintain high educational standards. 

Proximity Learning offers technology support and infrastructure to ensure seamless integration of their virtual teaching services. Our dedicated tech solutions team provides setup assistance, training, and ongoing technical support for both educators and students. They ensure that all participants can focus on education without technical disruptions.

We also consistently strive to maintain transparency and ethical practices in all interactions and services. Our dedication to innovation means we are continuously improving and utilizing the latest technology to deliver effective online education. PLI would not work without collaboration; working closely with schools, teachers, students, and families to create a supportive and engaging learning environment.

What are the long-term benefits of synchronous learning? 

The benefits of synchronous learning start with the students. Guaranteeing them a well-rounded education and success in their education goals is only one benefit. By offering flexible working conditions, Proximity Learning is retaining teachers longer. They experience less burnout and improved job satisfaction through teaching remotely. Happy teachers teach better. This trickles down to better student outcomes. With the ability to scale our solution to different school sizes and needs, PLI already has the infrastructure to adapt to future educational challenges and trends, expanding our impact. 

By building a resilient education system through a robust and adaptable education framework, we are helping prepare the next generation for the future. Teaching students to be flexible and work in unknown environments is critical for learning in the digital age. We are also more prepared than ever for any future disruptions to the education system. At the end of the day, students receive better instruction than they would from a substitute or non-certified teacher. 

What is the solution to vacancies in my district? 

As ESSER funding winds down, districts across the U.S. face challenges, particularly with teacher vacancies. The loss of this critical support could lead to more teacher shortages and a potential dip in education quality. One way to address this is through synchronous education, like Proximity Learning, which offers real-time, interactive teaching that keeps students engaged even with staffing gaps. 

Schools and districts should consider integrating Proximity Learning into their strategies and start planning now for a sustainable future. By taking these proactive steps, we can ensure our students continue to receive the education they deserve, no matter what. Talk to us today!