March 17, 2026 | Jay Stansell

Beyond ESSER: A District Leader Guide to Sustainable K-12 Funding in 2026

A District Leader’s Guide to Federal Funding Sources for Career Readiness, SEL, and Student Success Programs

The federal funding landscape for K-12 education has shifted significantly. The ESSER funds that many districts relied on to implement future-ready programming have expired, and proposed changes at the federal level are reshaping how education dollars flow to schools across the country.

The good news: multiple funding pathways remain available for districts committed to career readiness, social-emotional learning, and student success programming. This guide outlines what’s changed, what’s still available, and how districts can build sustainable funding strategies for the years ahead.

What’s Changed: The End of ESSER and the Shift to Block Grants

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, authorized through three rounds of pandemic-era legislation, provided nearly $190 billion to K-12 schools nationwide. Those funds supported everything from learning recovery to technology implementation to new curriculum adoption.

All three rounds of ESSER funding have now expired. Districts that used ESSER to launch future-ready programs are now looking for sustainable alternatives.

At the same time, federal policymakers have proposed consolidating more than 100 existing education programs into a single block grant to states. The proposed “Advancing Education for All” block grant would combine Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, and other programs into one funding stream, giving states more flexibility in how they distribute dollars to districts.

This is still evolving legislation, and the final structure may change. What’s clear is that districts should prepare for a funding environment that rewards flexibility, evidence-based programming, and clear alignment to student outcomes.

Funding Sources Available Today

Even as the federal landscape shifts, several established funding streams continue to support career readiness, SEL, and student success programs.

Perkins V (Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act)

Perkins V remains one of the strongest and most reliable funding sources for career exploration and CTE programming. It provides formula grants to states, which then distribute funds to local districts and institutions.

Districts can use Perkins V funding for programs that:

• Provide career exploration and awareness activities for students
• Support the development of career pathways aligned to labor market needs
• Integrate academic and technical education
• Address equity gaps in CTE access and participation

Find Your Grind’s career readiness curriculum aligns directly with Perkins V priorities, supporting career exploration, self-discovery, and workforce alignment for middle and high school students.

Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)

Title IV-A provides flexible funding across three areas: well-rounded education, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology. Districts can direct these funds toward SEL programming, career readiness curriculum, and digital learning platforms.

Under the proposed block grant model, Title IV-A may be consolidated. However, the underlying priorities — supporting the whole student, improving wellbeing, and preparing students for the future — are expected to remain fundable categories regardless of how the funding structure evolves.

Title I (Improving Academic Achievement)

Title I funds are designed to support schools with high percentages of students from low-income families. Districts can use Title I to invest in programs that demonstrate evidence of improving academic outcomes, including research-based curriculum platforms.

Find Your Grind holds ESSA Tier 2 evidence approval, which means it meets the “moderate evidence” standard required for Title I and other federal funding. This evidence base makes it easier for districts to justify investments and meet accountability requirements.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

IDEA funds support transition planning and programming for students with disabilities. Career exploration and self-discovery tools play an important role in helping students build individualized transition plans aligned to their strengths and interests.

State and Local Grants

Many states maintain their own grant programs for career readiness, workforce development, and student wellbeing. These programs vary by state but often align with the same outcomes that federal funds support. Check with your state department of education for current opportunities.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

WIOA funds, administered through the Department of Labor, support career exploration and workforce alignment programs. Districts and community partnerships can leverage WIOA to connect students with career pathways and labor market data.

21st Century Community Learning Centers

These grants support after-school and extended learning programs, including career exploration and enrichment activities. They can complement in-school programming funded through other sources.

The Funding Braiding Strategy

The most successful districts don’t rely on a single funding source. They braid multiple streams together to build sustainable, long-term programming.

A common funding braiding strategy for future-ready curriculum looks like this:

By combining these streams, districts can implement comprehensive student success programming that doesn’t depend on any single source — building resilience against future funding shifts.

Why Evidence-Based Programs Matter More Than Ever

As funding becomes more competitive and accountability requirements increase, districts need to invest in programs that can demonstrate measurable outcomes. Evidence-based programs provide:

• Stronger grant applications with documented research backing
• Easier compliance with federal and state reporting requirements
• Greater confidence from school boards and community stakeholders
• Better outcomes for students, supported by data

Find Your Grind’s ESSA Tier 2 evidence approval means it meets the rigorous “moderate evidence” standard. Districts investing in Find Your Grind can document this evidence alignment in funding applications across multiple grant programs, strengthening their position regardless of which funding streams they pursue.

Preparing Your District for the Road Ahead

The shift from targeted categorical programs to broader block grants means districts will have more flexibility — and more responsibility — in how they allocate funds. Here are three steps district leaders can take now:

1. Audit your current funding mix. Identify which programs are funded through which streams. Look for gaps and single points of failure.

2. Build your evidence portfolio. Document the research base and student outcomes for every program in your portfolio. Evidence-based programs will be easier to fund under any model.

3. Start braiding now. If your career readiness or SEL programming depends on a single funding source, develop a braiding strategy that pulls from multiple streams. This protects your investment if any one source changes.

Let’s Talk About Funding Your Future-Ready Curriculum

Navigating the funding landscape can feel complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team works with districts every day to align programming with available funding sources and build sustainable implementation plans.

Connect with our team today to learn more about how you can bring Find Your Grind to your students — and fund it for the long term.