New Federal Funding for K-12
To respond to district needs that have emerged during the global COVID-19 pandemic, funding has been earmarked to help K-12 schools address learning loss, facilitate safe school environments, and purchase education technology.
Apex Learning evidence-based solutions align with the high-priority initiatives supported by the funding to provide flexible, high-quality academic curricula that helps students meet grade-level proficiency and accelerate their learning.

American Rescue Plan Act (March 2021) 
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes funds to help K-12 students and educators deal with the impacts of the pandemic.
Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund ($122 billion)
Allocated to SEAs based on Title I formulas.
- 90% directly to LEAs, with at least 20% for “learning loss”.
- 10% can be retained by the SEA.
- 5% to address learning loss.
- 1% for evidence-based summer learning programs.
- 1% for afterschool programs that address academic, social, and emotional needs.
- Funds must be obligated by districts by Sept. 30, 2022.
Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) ($2.75 billion)
Allocated to states based on their proportion of children from low-income families.
- Provide services/assistance to highly impacted non-public schools serving low-income children.
- Address educational disruptions resulting from COVID-19.
- Funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2024.
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations
(CRRSA) Act (December 2020) 
The CRRSA Act, signed into law on 12/27/2020, includes direct funding for K-12 schools.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund ($54 billion)
Allocated to SEAs and distributed to LEAs based on Title I formulas.
- Allowable uses include addressing learning loss, providing mental health services and support (SEL), summer learning, after school programs, and distance/remote learning.
- Funds must be obligated by districts by Sept. 30, 2023.
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER II) Fund ($4 billion)
Governors were allocated funds to continue providing education services.
- $2.75 billion is reserved for non-public schools. See awards to non-publics.
- Funds must be used by districts by Sept. 30, 2023.
CARES Act (March 2020)
The CARES Act funds “adaptable, innovative learning opportunities for K-12 learners.” Transparency for these funds is available here.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER I) Fund ($13 billion)
Allocated to SEAs based on Title I formulas.
- Allowable uses include addressing learning loss, providing mental health services and support (SEL), summer learning, afterschool programs, and distance/remote learning.
- Funds must be obligated by districts by Sept. 30, 2022.
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund ($3 billion)
Allocated to SEAs and distributed to LEAs based on Title I formulas.
- Governors could request funding to continue to provide education services to students.
- Funds are available for obligation through Sept. 30, 2022.
Federal Funding for Digital Curriculum
Apex digital curriculum meets the goals of many funding sources:

Funding Sources Apex Supports
Programmatic Requirements |
Title IIImproving Teacher Quality State Grant |
Title IIImproving Teacher Quality State Grant |
Title IIILanguage Instruction for LEP & Immigrant Students |
IDEAIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act |
Title IV Part AStudent Support and Academic Enrichments Grants |
Title IV Part B21st Century Community Learning Centers |
Title V Part BRural Education Achievement Act |
Carl D Perkins Career & Technical Education Act |
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Rigorous digital curriculum for all students |
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Core academic subjects |
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Honors, electives, world languages, and AP® |
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CTE |
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State high-stakes college readiness and high school equivalency exam readiness |
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Support for RTI and MTSS |
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Dashboards and reports to monitor student progress |
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Learning gap identification and remediation |
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Credit recovery |
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Unit recovery |
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Extensive scaffolding supports for struggling students |
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Personalized learning plans |
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Professional development and success management |
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Research That Meets Funding Requirements
Apex Learning conducts rigorous research that meets the evidence-based criteria required for most grant applications. Read more about our efficacy studies, including quasi-experimental and correlational studies.