In 2020 the United States federal government designated more than $190 billion in COVID-19 relief programs for local educational agencies (LEAs), including K-12 districts. With new application requirements, deadlines, and funding reallocation, understanding how these funds can be leveraged in 2023 and beyond may be challenging, daunting, and difficult to navigate.
Due to changes in the learning climate—with school districts transitioning from in-person classrooms, to remote learning, and now to a hybrid learning approach—the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding packages have shifted requirements that allow districts to leverage funds in support of cybersecurity, student safety and wellness, and digital engagement.
School districts around the United States have reported using less than 15 percent of the total amount of ESSER funds allocated for states to use for addressing student mental health and learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. While a majority of funds are going unused due to schools facing staffing shortages and fund allocation delays from state and local governments, there is still time to use ESSER III funds—until September 2024—to purchase software for schools that addresses classroom management and engagement, reduces school violence and student harm, and improves cybersecurity and protecting student data.
Districts need to apply for funding before the upcoming deadlines at the end of early 2023 and 2024. Your district can leverage ESSER funds to provide technology for virtual instruction during long-term closures or to purchase edtech hardware, software, and connectivity infrastructure to improve student-teacher interaction.
Deadline for SEAs to submit final FY22 Maintenance of Effort data to Department of Education:
March 15, 2023
Deadine for final spending of State Reserve Funds:
September 30, 2024
Districts need to apply for funding before the upcoming deadlines at the end of 2022 and early 2023. Your district can leverage ESSER funds to provide technology for virtual instruction during long-term closures or to purchase edtech hardware, software, and connectivity infrastructure to improve student-teacher interaction.
Deadline for SEAs to submit final FY22 Maintenance of Effort data to Department of Education:
March 15, 2023
Deadine for final spending of State Reserve Funds:
September 30, 2024
LEAs can use up to 80% of ARP ESSER funds to address needs that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, purchasing educational technology that aids in regular educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors and providing additional mental health services and support.
These funds can be used to implement all Lightspeed Systems solutions. Rather standalone or as an integrated suite, our patented edtech technology was designed exclusively for K-12 to help all districts, big or small, improve education and safeguard students online. Each Lightspeed solution is not only designed to integrate seamlessly with each other, but also to perform and implement easily within your district’s existing edtech.
Give your district the ability to find acts of cyberbullying, threats of school violence, or student self-harm so you can intervene before a tragedy occurs. Industry-leading AI sends real-time alerts to district staff and Lightspeed Safety Specialists to help a student in need.
Applicable solution: Lightspeed Alert
Ensure your district is CIPA-compliant and keep your students safe online, on any device and operating system, by filtering content that’s illicit, malicious, or unproductive with Lightspeed Filter™. SmartPlay™, our proprietary YouTube filtering feature included with Lightspeed Filter, keeps access to YouTube educational and easy to control. Pair it with Lightspeed Mobile Device Management™ to securely manage your school’s devices, applications, and policies with real-time visibility and location reporting.
Applicable solutions: Lightspeed Filter, Lightspeed Mobile Device Management
Studies show that positive teacher-student interactions lead to improved cognitive development and mental well-being. Implement software that aids in the daily interaction between teachers and their students. Lightspeed Classroom Management™ gives teachers control over their digital classrooms so they can focus more time on educating and less time on managing.
Applicable solution: Lightspeed Classroom Management
Do you know if your district’s technology is being utilized efficiently? Lightspeed Digital Insight™ gives district IT teams visibility and transparency into software usage, app license management, and privacy compliance, all while identifying cost-reduction opportunities to help save your district money.
Applicable solution: Lightspeed Digital Insight
Lightspeed Systems really stepped up and worked closely with us to get the filter up and running as fast as possible. Filtering our devices was one of the biggest hurdles during the shutdowns for us to overcome. It was amazing to me how quickly–within one to two days of having conversations–that we were able to get this up and running and set up on multiple platforms.
Dr. Tina Barrios
Assistant Superintendent of Information Systems and Technology, Polk County Public Schools
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Reimagine the inspired and interactive classroom for remote, hybrid, and in-person learning. Lightspeed Classroom Management™ gives teachers real-time visibility and control of their students’ digital workspaces and online activity.
Ensure scalable & efficient learning device management. The Lightspeed Mobile Device Management™ system ensures safe and secure management of student learning resources with real-time visibility and reporting essential for effective distance learning.
Prevent suicides, cyberbullying, and schoolviolence. Lightspeed Alert™ supports district administrators and selected personnel with advanced AI to detect and report potential threats before it’s too late.
Protect students from harmful online content. Lightspeed Filter™ is the best-in-class solution that acts as a solid barrier to inappropriate or illicit online content to ensure students’ online safety 24/7.
Gain complete visibility into students’ online learning. Lightspeed Analytics™ gives districts robust data on the effectiveness of any tools they implement so they can take a strategic approach to their technology stack and streamline reporting.
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