Return to In-Person Instruction Plan

Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund

In March 2021, the US Federal Government passed a third stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), to support individuals, businesses, and the education system.
The $1.9 trillion package included the largest injection of stimulus support to date for the K-12 education sector – nearly $130 billion. The ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) includes some specific requirements to help schools begin the process of addressing learning recovery. This set-aside reflects the significant challenges school districts, teachers, and parents have faced over the past years.

ICAGeorgia remains committed to providing internal support programs for all students. With the ARP fund that International Charter Academy of Georgia received in the amount of $50,431.00, we have implemented The Students First! Extended Day Program in the 2021-2022 school year. During the 2022-2023 school year, the program focuses on improving the scores on the Georgia Milestones Reading assessment for students in grades 3-5. This program will provide academic support to students who received a level 1 or 2 on last year’s Georgia Milestones in grades 4-5. We will also utilize the data from the most recent MAP Reading to determine which third graders will be invited into the program.

At least 10% of the ARP fund was used for extended day tutoring programs to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and respond to students’ academic needs. The rest of the ARP fund was used for counselor services, professional development for instruction / dual language program to stabilize a qualified and diverse educator workforce and to assist educators in providing effective instruction in person and remote learning including supporting the use of educational technology.

With the ARP fund that International Charter Academy of Georgia received in the amount of $50,431.00, we have implemented the following programs:

• The Students First! Extended Day Program ($10,704.40 spent – more than 10% of the fund)
  • This program provided academic support to students who are performing below grade level within a range of 36-69%. ICAG has utilized the MAP data in the areas of ELA and Math to determine students’ eligibility.
• Professional development to enhance curriculum development strategies.
  • Denise Huddlestun – Overview of new math standards and strategies to increase academic outcomes, including small groups and best practices.
  • Seiko Onuki – Strategies used to increase outcomes teaching the Japanese Language, Incorporating technology into instructional practices.
  • Maria Ballbed – The 6 principles: supporting effective practices for DLL part 1 and part 2
  • CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) – Making the most of translanguaging in the dual language classroom
• School counseling program
  • Camille Wiggins & Kieyana Thomas – Counseling services for students, bullying awareness campaign, and health seminar
• Air Quality Improvement
  • Air Filter Replacement and HVAC unit maintenance and repair
• Purchasing school resources
  • Books for teachers—Professional Learning Communities (PLC) – Equity – Centered, Trauma- Informed Education by Alex Shevrin Venet
  • Reading A-Z digital textbook – used to supplement teaching and learning
  • Repairing Chromebooks

There is extensive research on the benefits of both professional development and tutoring. ICAGeorgia will continue to search out learning opportunities for teachers and staff. As a result of professional learning teachers have increased instructional strategies used in the classroom, the results were positive outcomes in student achievement. The Students First! Extended Day Program results were 10%- 30% gains in math and ELA from its participants.