How the federal stimulus will affect schools
The $787 billion stimulus package that Congress passed in February provides an unprecedented $106 billion for education—and a historic chance to make short-term investments that will have far-reaching results.
With the influx of federal cash, however, will come close scrutiny. School leaders will need to spend their stimulus funds wisely or risk a public backlash that could hinder educational progress for years to come.
In this special Educator Resource Center, we’ve compiled stories, links, and other guidance to help you follow the latest developments in the stimulus process—and make the best possible use of these funds.
–The Editors
eSchool News Articles
Stimulus could spur more virtual charter schools »
As states compete for more than $4 billion in federal "Race to the Top" stimulus grants, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has made it clear that states willing to embrace charter schools and other favored innovations will get preference. That, in turn, could prompt a rise in the number of virtual charter schools and other charters that open across the country. Key words: Arne Duncan, stimulus grants, Race to the Top, virtual school, charter school, education technology...Read More »
ED issues rules on ed-tech stimulus funds »
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued new guidance to help states and school systems use ed-tech stimulus funding to drive lasting education reforms and improve student achievement. Key words: ARRA, EETT, ed tech fund, department of education, guidelines...Read More »
$5 billion carrot for schools overhaul »
Dangling the promise of $5 billion in grants, President Barack Obama on July 24 pressured states to embrace his ideas for overhauling the nation's schools -- ideas that include performance pay for teachers and more charter schools. Key words: Race to the Top Fund, Obama, education grants, performance pay, charter schools, technology...Read More »
Stimulus eases community college troubles »
States are digging into their federal stimulus money to help finance community colleges, where rising tuition, soaring enrollment, and budget cuts threaten to shut students out of the system, Stateline.org reports. ...Read More »
Schools suffer despite stimulus funding »
The nearly $100 billion for education in the federal stimulus package is helping school districts staunch the bleeding as the recession gashes their operating budgets. But though state and school district leaders from coast to coast say they're grateful for the additional money, many say it isn't nearly enough to meet their needs. Key words: stimlulus, state budgets, layoffs, education, recession...Read More »
Stimulus funds to advance national standards »
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is offering federal cash incentives to achieve one of his top priorities: developing national standards for reading and math to replace a current hodgepodge of benchmarks in the states. Key words: national standards, common standards, math standards, reading standards...Read More »
Six tips for securing federal stimulus money for your schools »
The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has provided unprecedented levels of federal funding for education, and it has prompted most grant writers across the country (from all disciplines, not just education) to prepare themselves for a deluge of funding announcements--many of which will require quick turnaround times for proposals. ...Read More »
White House seeks input on education law »
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is a man on a mission: to hear what teachers, students, parents, and school leaders in at least 15 states think about No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the controversial education law championed by former President George W. Bush. Key words: No Child Left Behind, Arne Duncan, NCLB, President Obama, President Bush, adequate yearly progress....Read More »
Stimulus aims to help close digital divide »
With more than $7 billion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside for increasing broadband access in the United States, the stimulus presents a huge opportunity for schools and communities to help close the digital divide. Key words: digital divide, stimulus package, broadband access, Recovery and Reinvestment Act, education, technology....Read More »
Three sticking points could stunt stimulus education reform »
President Obama is asking states to make education reforms in exchange for nearly $40 billion in stimulus funds for schools. But his aspirations might be on a collision course with several competing realities, writes Allison Armour-Garb with the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government in a commentary for Stateline.org. ...Read More »
Additional Resources
U.S. Department of Education (ED):
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
ED's State-by-State Stimulus Projections
http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/news.html#FY2009action
American Association of School Administrators' stimulus page
http://www.aasa.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=11157
Recovery.gov: Federal tracking of stimulus spending
http://www.recovery.gov
ASCD Report -- Planning the Possible: How Schools Can Use Stimulus Dollars for Lasting Impact
http://stimulus.ascd.org/ascd/2009/?u1=texterity
