ESSER and the Fiscal Cliff

ESSER and the Fiscal Cliff

Big changes are on the horizon for charter school authorizers and the schools in their portfolios: the end of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Managing this change will be, for many authorizers, a major activity from now into the fall. 

A lot of you learned more last week at NACSA’s Third Thursdays. For those unable to attend, see the recording here and slides here 

As you prepare for the series of progressive deadlines that we call the fiscal escalator (less abrupt than a cliff, with more time to prepare, manage, and arrive safely at the bottom), NACSA is here with key takeaways and links to useful resources. 

What’s most important? The deadlines:  


Download this image. 

Next steps involve the communication you’ll have within your own authorizing office and with your portfolio of schools about the risks they face as these funds wind down. Which schools are at risk? What can be done now to mitigate those risks? Is your office ready to pay extra attention to next year’s proposed budgets?  

Here are some useful resources to keep you steady on this escalator: 

Please reach out with any questions to Jason Zwara, NACSA’s Director of Strategic Partnerships at [email protected] 


Most Recent Posts
Beyond the Mold: Equipping Authorizers to Evaluate Innovative Schools
By David Greenberg and Jason Zwara Raising the Bar on Accountability Last year, we made several important updates to our state policy recommendations. These changes were critical to accountability in...
NACSA Statement on Rhode Island Charter School Moratorium
NACSA is calling on Governor McKee to protect both families’ access to high-quality public schools. and the integrity of Rhode Island’s charter school system by vetoing legislation that would impose...
NACSA Supports Three Federal Bills to Modernize CSP and Help Strengthen Authorizing
The U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) has supported the growth of the charter school sector for more than 30 years. Despite significant changes in the charter sector—especially...