America's Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Commonly Asked Questions
The Regional Educational Laboratory of the Southeast (REL-SE) at the SERVE Center has compiled a list of Commonly Asked Questions based on the needs of our six-state region. Below are some links to information as well as more specific information for state agencies. The information will assist agencies as they engage in the initial stages of implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Commonly Asked Questions - General Information
Commonly Asked Questions - ARRA Funding Opportunities
Responses to Commonly Asked Questions - General Information
What is the purpose of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was designed to jumpstart our economy by creating or saving millions of jobs. ARRA funds will be used to modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, increase access to health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. The ARRA provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that you will be able to know how, when, and where your tax dollars are being spent.
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How do I find out about how the ARRA funding is being used in my state?
Click on the link to see additional information about the funding your state is receiving under Recovery Act education programs for state fiscal stabilization, low-income schools, special education, education technology grants, vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, homeless children assistance, low-income college students, and work study.
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How will Recovery.gov obtain the information needed for accountability and transparency?
Federal agencies receiving ARRA funds are subject to the requirements outlined in the guidance provided by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Agencies must track and monitor all ARRA dollars in a manner that provides transparency and accountability for Congress and taxpayers. Agencies will provide information to the Recovery.gov team. The Recovery.gov team will make the information available on Recovery.gov.
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Where can I find the entire ARRA bill?
Read or download the bill.
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Where can I find highlights of the information contained in ARRA?
The U.S. Department of Education has created a slide show presentation that highlights the guiding principles and funding availability for programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. View the presentation.
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How do I find specific information about how the ARRA will impact my community?
State maps will help you with finding specific information about how ARRA funds will be spent in your community. Go to the State maps.
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How do I contact the Administration with questions about the ARRA?
The best method is to access the website, Recovery.gov, and use the "contact us" form. Your question or message will be referred to the best person to handle the matter.
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Responses to Commonly Asked Questions - ARRA Funding Opportunities
What is the State Stabilization Fund?
The State Stabilization Fund is a one-time appropriation of $53.6 billion, which provides states approximately $48.6 billion in education funding as well as an additional $8.8 billion in flexible block grants for other state services. $48.6 billion will be awarded by formula directly to the governor of each state in exchange for a commitment to advance essential education reforms.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, "These funds will help stabilize state and local government budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in education and other essential public services. The program will help ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs) and public institutes of higher education (IHEs) have the resources to avert cuts and retain teachers and professors. The program may also help support the modernization, renovation, and repair for school and college facilities. In addition, the law provides governors with significant resources to support education (including school modernization, renovation, and repair), public safety, and other government services."
States are expected to ensure the following:
- Spend funds quickly to create and save jobs
- Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform
- Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability
- Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize "funding cliff"
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How can LEAs use the State Stabilization Funds?
LEAs should use the four guidelines above to guide spending. Additionally, they are encouraged to spend wisely, using funds to create lasting results without incurring ongoing costs. Funds may be spent for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act).
For more information, see the: U.S. Department of Education fact sheet on the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Draft application via the Federal Register. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from the U.S. Department of Education Information Collection System website by selecting the "Browse Pending Collections" link and by clicking on link number 376. When you access the information collection, click on "Download Attachments" to view. Once you click "Download Attachments," look to the bottom of the page, and you will find the various documents.
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What are the four key reform areas in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund?
The four key reform areas are:
- Teacher Effectiveness and Equitable Distribution
- P-12 Longitudinal Data Collection Systems
- Career Ready Standards and High Quality Assessment
- Intensive Support and Effective Interventions to Turn Around Struggling Schools
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What are some resources on each of the four key reform areas in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund?
Teacher Effectiveness and Equitable Distribution
Preparing Teachers in the Southeast Region to Work with Students with Disabilities (REL: Southeast; Publication Date: November 2008)
The Status of the Preparation and Hiring of School Principals in the U.S.- affiliated Pacific Region (REL: Pacific; Publication Date: August 2008)
State Policies on Teacher Evaluation Practices in the Midwest Region (REL: Midwest; Publication Date: July 2008)
Preparing Teachers to Teach in Rural Schools (REL: Central; Publication Date: July 2008)
An Analysis of State Data on the Distribution of Teaching Assignments Filled by Highly Qualified Teachers in New York Schools (REL: Northeast & Islands; Publication Date: April 2008)
Preparing and Licensing High Quality Teachers in Pacific Region Jurisdictions (REL: Pacific; Publication Date: September 2007)
The Distribution of Teaching and Learning Resources in California's Middle and High Schools (REL: West; Publication Date: September 2007)
P-12 Longitudinal Data Collection Systems
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
National Forum on Education Statistics (NFES) Publications
Career Ready Standards and High Quality Assessment
New Measures of English Language Proficiency and Their Relationship to Performance on Large-scale Content (REL: Northeast & Islands; Publication Date: January 2009)
The Status of Large-Scale Assessment in the Pacific Region (REL: Pacific; Publication Date: July 2008)
A Second Follow-up Year for Measuring How Benchmark Assessments Affect Student Achievement (REL: Northeast & Islands; Publication Date: April 2008)
What States Can Learn About State Standards and Assessment Systems from No Child Left Behind Documents and Interviews with Central Region Assessment Directors (REL: Central; Publication Date: March 2008)
A Review Of Methods and Instruments Used In State and Local School Readiness Evaluations (REL: Southeast; Publication Date: August 2007)
Intensive Support and Effective Interventions to Turn Around Struggling Schools
How Eight State Agencies in the Northeast and Islands Region Identify and Support Low Performing Schools (REL: Northeast & Islands; Publication Date: May 2009)
Parental Involvement in School Improvement Plans in the Northwest Region (REL: Northwest; Publications Date: October 2008)
Levers For Change: Southeast Region State Initiatives To Improve High Schools (REL: Southeast; Publication Date: September 2007)
How Northwest Region States Are Responding To Schools In Need of Improvement (REL: Northwest; Publication Date: August 2007)
General Resources
IES Regional Educational Laboratory Program Network
What Works Clearinghouse
Recovery.gov
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What is Race to the Top?
The Race to the Top Fund is an unprecedented federal investment in reform. The program includes $4 billion for statewide reform grants and $350 million to support states working together to improve the quality of their assessments. The Race to the Top state competition is designed to reward states that are leading the way in comprehensive, coherent, statewide education reform across four key areas:
- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace;
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals how to improve instruction
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principles, especially where they are needed most; and
- Turning around their lowest-performing schools.
Delaware and Tennessee won grants during the first phase of the Race to the Top competition. For more information about the first phase of competition, including state scores and review comments, visit the Race to the Top press release.
The 10 winning Phase Two applications were: District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachesetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Rhode Island. For more information, including applications, visit the Race to the Top Phase Two press release.
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What is the Race to the Top Assessment Fund?
Authorized under the ARRA, the Race to the Top Assessment Program provides funding to consortia of states to develop assessments that are valid, support and inform instruction, provide accurate information about what students know and can do, and measure student achievement against standards designed to ensure that all students gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and the workplace. Comprehensive Assessment Systems grants and High School Course Assessment Program grants are two types of grants available under the Race to the Top Assessment fund.
Eligible applicants for grants in this Race to the Top Assessment competition are consortia of states. Each consortium of states must indicate in its application whether one member of the consortium is applying for a grant on behalf of the consortium, or if the consortium has established itself as a separate eligible legal entity and is applying for a grant on its own behalf.
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What is the Investing in Innovation Fund?
The Investing in Innovation Fund, established under section 14007 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provides funding to support (1) local educational agencies (LEAs), and (2) non-profit organizations in partnership with (a) one or more LEAs or (b) a consortium of schools. The purpose of this program is to provide competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement and attainment in order to expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative practices that are demonstrated to have an impact on improving student achievement or student growth, closing achievement gaps, decreasing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, or increasing college enrollment and completion rates.
These grants will (1) allow eligible entities to expand and develop innovative practices that can serve as models of best practices, (2) allow eligible entities to work in partnership with the private sector and the philanthropic community, and (3) identify and document best practices that can be shared and taken to scale based on demonstrated success.
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What is the Teacher Incentive Fund?
The Teacher Incentive Fund supports efforts to develop and implement performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools.
The goals include:
- Improving student achievement by increasing teacher and principal effectiveness;
- Reforming teacher and principal compensation systems so that teachers and principals are rewarded for increases in student achievement;
- Increasing the number of effective teachers teaching poor, minority, and disadvantaged students in hard-to-staff subjects; and
- Creating sustainable performance-based compensation systems.
Performance-based compensation systems must consider gains in student academic achievement as well as classroom evaluations conducted multiple times during each school year among other factors and provide educators with incentives to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles. The deadline for applications is July 6, 2010.
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What is the Teacher Quality Partnership Grants Program?
The Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grants Program seeks to improve the quality of new teachers by creating partnerships among Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs), high-need school districts (LEAs) and their high-need schools, and/or high-need early childhood education (ECE) programs. These partnerships would create model teacher preparation programs at the pre-baccalaureate level through the implementation of specific reforms of the IHE's existing teacher preparation programs, and/or model teaching residency programs for individuals with strong academic and/or professional backgrounds but without teaching experience. The TQP Grants Program may also support school leadership programs to train superintendents, principals, ECE program directors, and other school leaders in high-need or rural LEAs.
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What is the purpose of the State Longitudinal Data Systems funding?
The State Longitudinal Data Systems funding provides grants to states to design, develop, and implement statewide P-20 longitudinal data systems to capture, analyze, and use student data from preschool to high school, college, and the workforce. The Recovery Act competition requires that the data systems have the capacity to link preschool, K-12, and postsecondary education as well as workforce data. To receive State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, a state must provide an assurance that it will establish a longitudinal data system that includes the 12 elements described in the America COMPETES Act, and any data system developed with statewide longitudinal data system funds must include these 12 elements. The elements are:
- An unique identifier for every student that does not permit a student to be individually identified (except as permitted by federal and state law);
- The school enrollment history, demographic characteristics, and program participation record of every student;
- Information on when a student enrolls, transfers, drops out, or graduates from a school;
- Student scores on tests required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA);
- Information on students who are not tested, by grade and subject;
- Student scores on tests measuring whether they're ready for college;
- A way to identify teachers and to match teachers to their students;
- Information from students' transcripts, specifically courses taken and grades earned;
- Data on students' success in college, including whether they enrolled in remedial courses;
- Data on whether K-12 students are prepared to succeed in college;
- A system of auditing data for quality, validity, and reliability; and
- The ability to share data from preschool through postsecondary education data systems.
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What is the purpose of the Title I School Improvement Grants?
The Title I School Improvement Grants are used to improve student achievement in Title I schools identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring so as to enable those schools to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) and exit improvement status. Appropriations for School Improvement Grants have grown from $125 million in fiscal year (FY) 2007 to $546 million in FY 2009. The ARRA provides an additional $3 billion for School Improvement Grants in FY 2009. For more information, visit the School Improvement Fund FAQ Web page.
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What are Enhancing Education Through Technology Grants?
The primary goal of the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grants program is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in schools. It is also designed to help ensure that every student is technologically literate by the end of the eighth grade and to encourage the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development.
The ARRA and regular FY 2009 grants provide an unprecedented opportunity for states, districts, and school to use innovative strategies to enhance instruction, facilitate teaching and learning, and improve student achievement. They also will enable districts to acquire new and emerging technologies, create new, state-of-the-art learning environments, and offer new training and more support for teachers so that students acquire the technological skills they will need to compete in a global economy.
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Where can I find more information about the education programs funded under the Recovery Act?
Visit the Recovery.gov Website to find out about the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, Race to the Top, Investing in Innovation, Teacher Incentive Fund, State Longitudinal Data Systems, Title I School Improvement Grants, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Parts B and C, and more.
What other funds are associated with ARRA?
Education for the Disadvantaged (ESEA Title I)
- $13 billion in additional appropriations
- May be used for professional development
- Note: Title I funds under ARRA are concentrated on districts with high levels of high needs students. Districts with less than 5% of low income children are not eligible for the additional Title I funds.
School Improvement Programs - educational technology state grants – ESEA Title II (D) (1)
- $650 million – some to be distributed via normal means, the rest through competitive grants.
- Local activities to enhance student learning through technology could include sustained professional development, public-private partnerships, or expansion of an existing program.
Teacher Incentive Fund – ESEA [V] [D] [1]
- A portion of the $200 million given to the states will be available in fall 2009 by means of competitive grants to LEAs.
- Funds may be used to develop and implement performance based teacher and instructional leader compensation systems in high-needs schools.
Institute of Education Sciences – Statewide Data Systems
- $245 million for competitive state grants; $50 million for data coordination.
- Competitive grants awarded to state education agencies with plans to create and coordinate a statewide, longitudinal data system to accurately and efficiently manage and analyze student data.
Higher Education Teacher Quality Enhancement Act of Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965
- $100 million in competitive state grants awarded to institutes of higher education and LEAs for teacher training and recruitment, beginning fall 2009.
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