Schools and the Stimulus 2010
A Midterm Report
February 10, 2010
As the first year of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ends and the second year begins, Education Week takes a close look at the impact education stimulus dollars have had and sheds light on what the next year will bring.
- Federal Proposed 'Race to Top' Rules Seen as PrescriptiveIn formal comments, many states, school districts, and unions appear wary of a tight federal leash on the $4 billion in competitive stimulus grants.Education Funding News in Brief Administrators Detail Spending From StimulusUsing federal economic-stimulus money for innovative school reform while also trying avoid to layoffs seems more pipe dream than reality, according to a study released last week.
School & District Management California Actions on 'Race to Top' ScrutinizedA special legislative session will weigh significant state policy changes in response to proposed requirements for the federal grants.
Federal Opinion Turnaround Schools That Work"An exclusive focus on changing the principal and teachers misses two-thirds of the larger school community, which also includes students and parents," writes Richard D. Kahlenberg.Federal Tight Leash Likely On Turnaround AidSchool closures, staff firings, and other dramatic steps would be the ticket to a share of $3.5 billion in new Title I aid.Education Funding News in Brief Calif. Governor Calls Session on 'Firewall'California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is calling a special session that would seek to scrap the state鈥檚 data 鈥渇irewall鈥� law in order to help make sure the state can get a slice of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund grant money.School & District Management NEA at Odds With Obama Team Over 'Race to the Top' CriteriaThe union says it cannot support core pieces of the Race to the Top Fund, such as the linking of test scores and teacher evaluation.
Federal Duncan Sets Bar On FundSchools, districts, and nonprofits could get up to $50 million each under the stimulus program鈥檚 $650 million "i3 Fund."School & District Management Lawmakers Work on Lifting Charter CapFour months before the 2010 Legislature is slated to begin, Idaho lawmakers are working on a bill that would amend state law to lift the cap limiting the number of new charter schools each year. At stake are federal grants from a nearly $5 billion fund made available by President Barack Obama.Federal Hurdles Ahead in 'Race to Top'States face hundreds of hours of paperwork in competing for $4 billion in stimulus funds, when staff and budgets are already stretched.
School & District Management Hurdles Loom for Launch of Innovation FundEligibility and a flood of applications will be among the challenges in doling out $650 million to schools and districts.Federal Guidance Issued for Technology Funds in StimulusFocus on competitive grants could spur innovation in using technology in schools, experts say.Federal Stimulus Seeks Enriched TestsRace to the Top money could serve as a down payment for scaling up tests that would better measure critical thinking, experts say.
Federal School-Turnaround Call Points Up ChallengesThe U.S. secretary of education鈥檚 call to 鈥渢urn around鈥� the nation鈥檚 5,000 worst-performing schools has sparked debate about how鈥攁nd whether鈥攕uch an enormous leadership and management challenge can be accomplished.IT Infrastructure & Management California 'Firewall' Becomes 'Race to Top' IssueState restrictions on the use of teacher and student data may be a factor as it competes for coveted stimulus funds.Federal K-12 Budget Bills Eye Modest Funding RiseAfter a major windfall in the federal economic-stimulus law, K-12 education would see just a modest boost in funding in fiscal 2010.
Federal Rich Prize, Restrictive GuidelinesStates not meeting absolute guidelines would be ineligible to compete for aid from the Race to the Top Fund, a comparatively small鈥攂ut highly coveted鈥攕lice of some $100 billion in federal economic-stimulus aid for education.Federal Experts Hope Federal Funds Lead to Better TestsRace to the Top money could serve as a down payment for scaling up tests that would better measure critical thinking, experts say.Federal Research Doesn't Offer Much Guidance on TurnaroundsThe nation has few real examples of dramatic school change, experts say, leading to a lack of information on what strategies work.School & District Management Ohio Lawmaker: End Charter School MoratoriumOhio should end a moratorium on new charter schools so the state can compete for additional federal stimulus money, a GOP state lawmaker said.Federal Opinion Branding Education, Government-StyleShawn Maureen Powers examines titles and catchphrases from federal education efforts, and what their development means for our current approach to school reform.
School & District Management Ed. Dept. Gears Up for 'Innovation' GrantsAs Arne Duncan continues his 鈥渓istening tour,鈥� his team is kick-starting a $650 million grant competition for district-level innovations.Federal Senate Budget Panel OKs Slim Boost for EducationAfter a windfall in the stimulus bill, K-12 schools would see just a modest funding increase in fiscal 2010 under the U.S. Senate plan.Education Funding Opinion Secretary Duncan: Use New School Money on Something New鈥淧utting more resources into technology and for-profit consultants provides jobs and lets politicians feel they are helping schools, but it doesn鈥檛 improve student learning,鈥� write Gary W. Ritter and Robert Maranto.Special Education Stimulus Spurs Shifts of Special Education FundingSome states are giving school districts more flexibility to use their own money for other budget priorities amid the influx of federal dollars.Federal Guidance Issued on Ed-Tech Stimulus FundsThe U.S. Department of Education has released guidance for using more than $650 million in funding to boost school technology programs.
Federal States Scramble for Coveted DollarsThe first round of funding requires producing game-changing plans on a three-month timetable.Federal 'Race to Top' Guidelines Stress Use of Test DataStates must allow the use of student-achievement data for making decisions about teachers in order to qualify for money from the federal grant program.Federal Opinion Education's 'Race to the Top' BeginsJoanne Weiss describes the four core areas of reform guiding the U.S. Department of Education, and the role they will play in the allocation of 鈥楻ace to the Top鈥� funds.Federal Opinion The Learning Stimulus?鈥淥nly $5 billion in the 鈥楻ace to the Top鈥� incentive grants out of nearly $80 billion in education stimulus funds will be spent on the basis of any evidence of school reform or student learning,鈥� writes John E. Chubb.School & District Management Amid Fiscal Crisis, L.A. Gives Site Councils Budget ReinsSchools get a taste of decentralization as they make key budgetary decisions, including how to spend an influx of stimulus aid, in lean fiscal times.Federal Guidance Would Allow Waivers on Title I Stimulus FundsNew guidance allows flexibility from Title I requirements for spending on tutoring and transportation for school transfers.Federal Racing for an Early EdgeStates jockey for position as the U.S. Education Department readies billions of dollars in 鈥楻ace to the Top鈥� awards鈥攖he stimulus program鈥檚 grand prize.School & District Management Opinion Innovation Is the Key to Smarter Schools 鈥擜nd the Budget Crises Might Spur It鈥淭he promise of the stimulus funds for innovation is that they could open the door for large-scale transformation. In essence, it鈥檚 not how much you spend, but how you spend it that matters," writes Stanley S. Litow.Federal Ariz. Legislators Restore Vetoed School FundingPHOENIX (AP) 鈥� The Arizona Legislature met in special session Monday, with lawmakers quickly approving bills to restore vetoed funding for K-12 public schools and keep the state eligible for billions of dollars of federal stimulus funding.
Special Education Stimulus Tensions SimmerStriking the right balance on use of federal education aid requires accommodation on both sides鈥攁nd produces some friction.Early Childhood Infant-Toddler Spec. Ed. Program Gets New Life From StimulusAdvocates say economic-stimulus funds will let states keep paying for services for youngest children with disabilities and their families.IT Infrastructure & Management Bandwidth Slowing You Down?District leaders should prepare for stimulus funding for broadband telecommunications connections鈥攁nd make sure they get a fair cut of it.Education Funding News in Brief Cleveland Using Stimulus Aid for Teachers Close to RetiringThe Cleveland school district plans to use federal economic-stimulus money to pay the salaries of 200 veteran teachers until they retire in two years.Federal Stimulus Aid's Pace Still SlowGovernors and school districts face the challenge of absorbing billions of dollars while satisfying the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 requirements for that funding.Federal Duncan Unveils Details on Race to the Top AidEducation Secretary Duncan wants to use $350 million to help states draft common assessments, and has sharpened the time line for grants.Federal Education Chief Hopes Stimulus Will Push StandardsU.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is offering federal cash incentives to achieve one of his priorities: developing national standards for reading and math to replace a current hodgepodge of benchmarks in the states.Law & Courts Fitch: Charter School Caps Could Cost N.H. MoneyCONCORD, N.H. (AP) 鈥� New Hampshire budget negotiators said Tuesday they will heed a warning from the attorney general's office that a proposed cap on charter school enrollments could cost the state some federal money.Federal News in Brief S.C. Governor Ordered to Seek Stimulus FundsThe South Carolina Supreme Court ordered Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, to request $700 million in federal stimulus money aimed primarily at struggling schools.Federal Dual Aims in Stimulus Stir TensionStates find themselves torn between using the federal money to plug budget holes and to push school reform.Law & Courts S.C. Governor Signs Stimulus Request, Criticizes ProgramSouth Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford requested stimulus cash for the state's schools Monday, telling the U.S. education secretary he's doing so under duress and the $700 million in bailout money will create more problems.Federal Key Democrats Question Parts of Obama BudgetFiscal leaders in the House and Senate are voicing concern about proposed shifts in Title I money and a big boost for the Teacher Incentive Fund.Education Funding More Teachers Scramble for Fewer S.C. OpeningsCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) 鈥� Hundreds of people packed into South Carolina's annual teachers' job fair Monday as laid-off teachers, recent college graduates, and others trying to relocate from across the nation competed for limited classroom openings.
Federal Duncan Pressed to Set High Bar on 'Race to Top'The education secretary told Congress he鈥檒l hold states to a high standard in doling out $5 billion in discretionary stimulus funds.Education Funding Follow the Stimulus MoneyThis interactive graphic provides national and state-by-state breakdowns of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that has been budgeted for distribution by the U.S. Department of Education, based on estimates by the department.
Federal Large Districts to Use Stimulus for ELL SupportWith varying degrees of success serving English-learners, city school systems plan to tap federal aid to improve their programs.Special Education Restrictions on Spec. Ed. Spending Prompt ComplaintsThe complex rules that govern how federal dollars must be spent on special education services are getting a new, critical look as stimulus money starts flowing to the states.
Federal Obama Budget Choices ScrutinizedFollowing the windfall for education in the stimulus, the plan for fiscal 2010 prompts scrutiny, especially proposed shifts in Title I.
Education Funding Despite Continued Fiscal Woes, Florida Dodges K-12 Budget CutFlorida lawmakers will use federal stimulus aid as a budget lifeline.Federal Obama Wants to Turn Around 5,000 Failing SchoolsPresident Barack Obama intends to use $5 billion to prod local officials to close failing schools and reopen them with new teachers and principals.
School & District Management Deputy Secretary Pick Brings Business BackgroundIn naming Tony Miller to fill the No. 2 slot at the U.S. Department of Education, President Barack Obama has turned to a manager with extensive business experience as the department tackles the challenge of overseeing some $100 billion in economic-stimulus aid to education.Federal Businesses Angle for Share of School Stimulus AidThe prospect of sharing in the $100 billion in federal economic-stimulus aid has companies unleashing their sales pitches.School & District Management Challenges Loom in Fight with S.C. Gov. on StimulusSouth Carolina legislators will either be heading to court or overriding an anticipated veto to force Gov. Mark Sanford to request $350 million in federal stimulus cash.
Federal States Tap Stimulus Aid; Holdouts RemainGovernors in South Carolina and Alaska balk at accepting education funding, even as others queue up for the money.Federal Opinion President Obama: Time for a Federal Small-Class Program"Reducing almost every class to 20 and eventually to 15 students would create many jobs for new teachers, as well as for classroom construction or reconstruction," writes Herbert J. Gans.Federal Initial Aid Is Puzzle to TrackStates and federal agencies are off to a slow and uneven start in helping the public track up to $100 billion in education aid.Federal Quality of Evaluations Draws New Attention As Stimulus Aid FlowsThe nation鈥檚 oft-criticized systems for evaluating the quality of its educator workforce are poised to receive increased scrutiny, thanks to an Obama administration plan to require school districts to disclose how many teachers perform well or poorly.School Climate & Safety Stimulus Offers Funding Support For Ed. FacilitiesBut facilities experts are worried that other financial priorities are likely to overshadow building projects.Federal Tips Given on Best Use of Stimulus MoneyThe education secretary details how states and districts should use billions of extra dollars his department has started pumping out.School & District Management S.C. State Officials At Odds Over AidGov. Mark Sanford set off a political firestorm in cash-strapped South Carolina over his intention to forgo some $700 million in federal education aid under the $787 billion economic-stimulus law unless he could use it to pay down state debt.School & District Management As Stimulus Tap Turns On, Districts Can鈥檛 Escape CutsThe first federal aid to states is unlikely to stop layoffs in the worst-hit school districts, administrators say.
Federal First Education Stimulus Aid Flows to StatesTeacher-quality reporting and capital-spending flexility are outlined in new Education Department guidance.Federal K-12 Taking Primacy in States' Targeting of Stimulus DollarsMany states are targeting the new education aid at elementary and secondary schools, rather than toward higher education.Federal Stimulus Patching BudgetsLocal officials are crying 鈥榝oul鈥� as a growing number of governors make a play for federal economic-stimulus aid for schools.Early Childhood Stimulus Providing Big Funding Boost for Early ChildhoodAdvocates are betting that the billions of dollars for programs like Head Start are just a 鈥渄own payment鈥� on future expansion.Education Funding Education Secretary Arne Duncan on States That Reject Stimulus MoneyU.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan talks about the stimulus money with Education Week Managing Editor Caroline Hendrie, Assistant Managing Editor Mark W. Bomster, Assistant Editor Michele McNeil, and Staff Writers Alyson Klein and Stephen Sawchuk on March 24, 2009, at the Department of Education in Washington.
Federal Sour Economy Places Athletics in JeopardyTo spare individual sports from elimination, some districts are raising student fees, while others are paring back the number of games and events.Special Education Spec. Ed. Stimulus Money Raising CautionsDistrict administrators face restrictions, search for one-time expenses.Federal Title I Turnaround Programs Due for Big Cash BoostA massive infusion of money will go to help schools where students are struggling to meet NCLB鈥檚 proficiency goals.School & District Management Opinion Does Money Matter Most?W. Norton Grubb writes, "This period provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship of money to effective school resources, and to develop new approaches."IT Infrastructure & Management Data Systems Set for Crucial Fund InfusionStates and districts are eager for a piece of the $250 million in new funding that could help take their information-gathering and analysis to a new level.
School & District Management Guidelines Sketch Out Use of AidFederal officials are looking to boost accountability as they pump out $100 billion in new education funding.Federal Pots of Education Stimulus Cash May be Found in Unlikely SpotsSome are "in line like Baskin-Robbins to collect this money," one school budget official says鈥攁nd not just from the usual funding sources.
Federal Debate Brews on Federal Aid for Florida SchoolsThe governor says the economic recovery package offers badly needed relief, but others warn deeper fiscal changes are needed.Federal Stimulus Aid: More Questions鈥攁nd AnswersEducation Week's Alyson Klein and Michele McNeil continue gathering answers to questions on the $115 billion in education aid under the recent economic-stimulus package.Federal Effect of Stimulus on NCLB Renewal MulledA top lawmaker says the funding infusion may boost the Obama administration鈥檚 credibility with 糖心动漫vlog and the public.Federal Opinion Stimulating a Race to the Top"Even big-ticket bribes aren鈥檛 likely to do the trick if these same states still face perverse incentives under No Child Left Behind," write Chester E. Finn Jr. & Michael J. Petrilli.Federal Stimulus Aid to Go Out in Phases, Guidelines SayThe U.S. Education Department is looking to boost accountability as it pumps out $100 billion in new education funding.Federal Stimulus Bill Spurs Focus on TeachersThe recently enacted economic-stimulus bill requires every state to tackle inequities in access to top teaching talent for poor and minority children.School & District Management Economic Stimulus: Questions鈥攁nd AnswersPublic education is among the biggest winners in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, in line for some $115 billion in federal aid. Educators have plenty of questions about how that aid will be distributed, and Education Week Politics K-12 bloggers Alyson Klein and Michele McNeil have been gathering answers.Reading & Literacy Current-Year Budget Moving In CongressThe long-overdue spending bill working its way through Congress targets some high-profile education programs.
Federal President's Education Aims AiredHis address to Congress and initial budget outline show Obama putting education high on his domestic agenda.Budget & Finance Opinion Using Stimulus Funds to Build a Bridge to Better Practice"Businesses have options to write off restructuring costs and go into debt to finance new approaches. Without such options, school districts are forced to make incremental changes only," writes Karen Hawley Miles.Federal Congress Revisits Construction TiffAs Congress rushed to finalize the $787 billion economic-stimulus package on Feb. 12, one relatively small program held things up: school construction.Federal In Historic Package, Hefty New Funding For Pre-K, BeyondThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will funnel about $100 billion to states and school districts, about half of it through existing federal education funding formulas.
School & District Management Stimulus Sets Stiff Management ChallengeFederal officials will have to balance speed and accountability in dispersing billions of dollars in education assistance to states and districts.
School & District Management $5 Billion Pot of Money Draws Plenty of Interest, Raises Some EyebrowsU.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will have wide latitude in doling out incentive grants from this pot of economic-stimulus money.
Federal Rush to Pump Out Stimulus Cash Highlights Disparities in FundingPumping out money fast under existing education funding formulas may reward some states while leaving others short in meeting K-12 shortfalls.
Federal Local Educators Prepare to Use One-Time FundsOfficials in hard-hit states are breathing a little easier now that they can use some of the more than $100 billion in emergency federal education support. But they still don鈥檛 know how they will allocate money for the 2009-10 school year.
Federal Stimulus Package Gives Boost to School TechnologyThough advocates are disappointed the final amount was less than projected, they plan to maximize ways to use the infusion of federal money.Education Funding Chat Obama's Education PlanThomas Toch, Gene Wilhoit, and Chester E. Finn Jr., discuss President Barack Obama's education plan.School & District Management Stimulus Aid to Schools a Management ChallengeFederal officials will have to balance speed and accountability in dispersing billions of dollars in education assistance to states and districts.Federal Opinion Stimulating the Schools: A Plan for Federal Action"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act represents a historic investment in children鈥檚 futures that could eventually change the very future of this nation. This is an opportunity that cannot be squandered," write Pedro A. Noguera and Alan M. Blankstein.
Federal Obama Signs Economic-Stimulus PackageSchool districts and states will share in some $115 billion in aid to precollegiate and higher education, including in direct grants.Education Funding Ohio Budget Director Warns of CutsCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) 鈥� Ohioans would see significant cuts in mental health and drug treatment programs and face an increase in college tuition if Congress passes a stimulus package with reduced aid to struggling states, Gov. Ted Strickland's budget director warned state lawmakers Tuesday.
