Education Stimulus: Strings Attached

Education Week has links to education stimulus documents and the requirements for receiving and using the funds. Here's some of what I learned:

States are supposed to spend funds quickly to stimulate the economy. Funds should be used to improve student achievement. Four areas identified to improve student achievement through school improvement and reform: 1.Making progress toward rigorous college‐ and career‐ready standards and high‐quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities; 2.Establishing pre‐K‐to college and career data systems that track progress and foster continuous improvement; 3.Making improvements in teacher effectiveness and in the equitable distribution of qualified teachers for all students, particularly students who are most in need; 4. Providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest‐performing schools. Because of the large amounts of money and importance of the investment, more rigorous reporting is required than with other grants. The funds are expected to be temporary. The funds will only be available for 2-3 years. Funds should be invested in such a way that programs are sustainable after funding expires. Some funds are available at the end of March (as in three weeks!). Some funds available in fall 2009, including the Title 1 grants, educational technology grants, teacher incentive funds and teacher quality enhancement fund and statewide data systems. There will be a $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" competitive fund for states. Texas, will you be able to race to the top? $650 billion will be set aside for districts AND non-profits with a srong track record of results. Non-profits, start your engines! There will two rounds of Race to the Top grants - fall 09 and spring 10.

The report concludes with:

It represents a historic opportunity to restore America’s global leadership in education.