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Stimulus Funds for K–12 Education

The America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA will continue to provide tremendous opportunities for teachers and students in the months ahead While some ARRA funds have already been distributed to states and districts this fall to help preserve teaching positions, support Title I programs, improve infrastructure, and stabilize budgets, funding is still available under certain provisions of the act  to support comprehensive professional development programs, improvements in data collection to inform curriculum and instruction, and technology enhancements.

ARRA divides funding into three parts: 1. basic stabilization funds, (most of which have been distributed), 2. state incentive grants, and 3. local education agency innovation grants.

Incentive grants will be competitively awarded to states that have made significant progress in meeting objectives for achieving equity in teacher distribution; improving state data systems; enhancing standards and assessments; and providing interventions for schools in corrective action or restructuring status.

Under the $5 billion reserved for the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants, the U.S. Department of Education has begun a national competition among states for a $4.35 billion state incentive "Race to the Top" fund to improve education quality and results statewide.

Race to the Top will help states drive substantial gains in student achievement by supporting those that are making dramatic progress on the four reform goals described above and effectively using other ARRA funds;$650 million of the $5 billion will be set aside in the "Invest in What Works and Innovation" fund (i3) and will be available through a competition to districts and non-profit groups with a strong track record of results.

Race to the Top applications were submitted by 40 states and the District of Columbia in January. Learn more about the program and the evaluation process.

As a non-profit organization that specializes in customized assessment and professional development, Measured Progress realizes the importance of what takes place in the classroom every day. We understand that schools and districts have differing needs and that ARRA funds should be applied thoughtfully. So that you can evaluate how funds might best support your goals and objectives, we are pleased to provide you with up-to-date ARRA information.

Learn more about your state's current funding status.

Spending Priorities (Source: U.S. Department of Education)

The U.S. Department of Education has outlined ways school districts should use their shares of the federal stimulus package, which could provide up to $100 billion for K-12 education over two years. The main chunks of money flowing to districts come from several pots, and many of the suggested initiatives included below can be funded through multiple sources.

Title I
  • Identify and use effective teachers as coaches and mentors
  • Create summer programs for algebra and other college-prep courses
  • Partner with colleges and nonprofit groups to create early-college programs
  • Close low-performing schools and reopen them with new staffs, new programs, and additional learning time
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
  • Create new, fair, reliable teacher-evaluation systems based on objective measures of student progress and multiple classroom observations
  • Train educators to use data to improve instruction
  • Purchase instructional software, digital whiteboards, and other interactive technologies and train teachers in how to use them
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
  • Offer training and dual certification for teachers of English-language learners and students in special education
  • Implement online individualized education programs (IEPs) aligned with state academic standards
  • Hire transition coaches to help graduating high school seniors find employment or get postsecondary training

If you’d like to contact a Measured Progress representative for more information on ARRA funding and how it may be applied, please send us an e-mail.

The following information may help your state or district make key decisions.
Still have many questions? Please send them to us, and we will try our best to answer them promptly.