Using funds from ESSER I, II, and III, school districts invested in four main areas: Academic Recovery; Mental Health and Student Supports; Facilities Enhancements and COVID-19 Mitigation; and Continuity of District Operations and Services.

The series of web pages shown on the left take a brief look at the impact these investments have had on student academic outcomes to date. We then look at the specific kinds of investments districts have made. For each of the four areas of investment, we provide examples from a handful of the largest school systems. While these examples offer only a snapshot of the inspiring initiatives and programming being implemented in these cities, they are indicative of the work underway in other big city school systems across the country. In short, districts have thoughtfully and effectively invested funds in ways that have yielded impressive academic outcomes, particularly given the immense levels of need and unfinished learning among urban school children.