The American Rescue Plan provides nearly $1.9 trillion in stimulus funds to states with an astounding $123 billion allocated to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund for safe school re-openings and recovering learning loss. State and local education agencies have enormous responsibility to ensure this money makes a difference for every student, especially those who need it most. ExcelinEd's brief includes an overview of federal funding, guiding principles and essential strategies for implementing stimulus funds.