ARRA--Education
FFIS Reports
Issue Brief 10-34 Education Jobs Fund Includes New Funding, Requirements, August 24, 2010
Issue Brief 10-28 Recent Developments in ED Bonding Authority, June 24, 2010
Issue Brief 09-43 ED Increases Caps on State Administration, November 6, 2009
Issue Brief 09-34 Proposed Notice on School Improvement Grant Requirements Published, September 14, 2009
Issue Brief 09-30 Education Proposal Would Increase Caps on State Administration,
August 18, 2009
Issue Brief 09-27 Proposed Guidance on Race to the Top Funds Published,
August 12, 2009
Issue Brief 09-20 ARRA Provides New, Expanded Bonding Authority, May 20, 2009
Issue Brief 09-17 Department of Education Releases Guidance on Fiscal Stabilization Fund, April 14, 2009
General Information
September 28, 2012: OIG Releases Report on Districts’ Use of ARRA Funds The
Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report on how school districts
across the country used funds provided under ARRA and the Education Jobs Fund.
To read the report, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/fy2012/a09l0006com.pdf
December 7, 2011: ED Issues Information Collection Request for Study on ARRA
Funding The Department of Education (ED) is requesting information from states and local education agencies
(LEAs) for a study evaluating funding, implementation, and outcomes of
education funding under ARRA. To read ED’s notice, click here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-07/pdf/2011-31381.pdf
August 12, 2011: ED Urges States to Review ARRA Balances ED released a letter
urging states to review their ARRA balances for funds awarded in FY 2009, as
these funds only remain available through September 30, 2011. To view the
letter, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/110812.html
In addition, a table of all awards with a September 30, 2011
obligation deadline can be found here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/spending/
March
7, 2011: ED Establishes Implementation and Support Unit ED announced the
new Implementation and Support Unit (ISU) under the Office of the Deputy
Secretary which will serve as the single point of contact at ED for ARRA
programs, such as the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, the Race to the Top, the
Race to the Top Assessment, and the Education Jobs Fund. For more information
about ISU, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/110307.html
September 2, 2010:
GAO Reports that States Could Provide More Information on ARRA Education
Funds The Government
Accountability Office (GAO) provided notice of a report completed in July 2010
on state information reporting with regard to ARRA education programs. The
report points out that the ARRA reporting system does not provide specific
narrative fields for collecting information on how each subrecipient is using
its funds. To read about GAO's recommendations, access the report here:
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-807
July 15, 2010: ED Releases Tip Sheet for SLDS Program The Department of Education (ED) recently developed a tip sheet to assist recipients of the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Program in completing recipient reporting. Click here for the tip sheet: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/slds-tipsheet7-10.pdf
June 8, 2010: ED Updates State-by-State ARRA Fact Sheets ED updated its state-by-state ARRA Fact Sheets, which details the amount that each state has been awarded to date for all ARRA programs. To view the information, see:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/state-fact-sheets/index.html
April 2, 2010: ED Issues Clarifying Guidance on ARRA Reporting ED released updated ARRA reporting guidance clarifying the definition of infrastructure for purposes of Section 1512 reporting. The new guidance specifies that an infrastructure investment does not include "minor remodeling" as defined in 34 C.F.R. § 77.1(c). Click here to access the revised guidance:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance-1512-quarterly-reporting.doc
April 1, 2010: ED Releases New ARRA Spending Report ED released a new report detailing state-by-state ARRA spending. Click here to view the updated document:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/spending/state.xls
December 15, 2009: ED Announces ARRA Reporting Technical Assistance Webinar On December 16, 2009, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST, ED will conduct a technical assistance webinar to provide education officials with information regarding ARRA recipient reporting requirements for the next reporting period, which begins on January 1, 2010. To register, click on the following link: http://www.fsaregistration.ed.gov/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x4596305d49
November 2009: ED Releases Updated State-by-State ARRA Spending Data ED recently released updated ARRA spending reports. To view state-by-state data for all ED programs receiving funding through the Recovery Act, click here: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/spending/state.xls
October 20, 2009: Recovery Act Fact Sheets Updated ED updated their Recovery Act State Fact Sheets. These fact sheets outline the impact of ARRA funds on each state and provide details on the amount of funds awarded. For more information, go to: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/state-fact-sheets/index.html
October 29, 2009: ED Report on Peformance Results The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General released a report presenting the results of its audit of the department's quality review performance of recipient reporting under ARRA. Follow this link to view the report: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/fy2010/a19j0004.pdf
October 19, 2009: Report Issued on Educational Impact of ARRA The White House Domestic Policy Council, in cooperation with ED, released a report on the educational impact of ARRA. A copy of the report is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/DPC_Education_Report.pdf
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF)
September 22, 2011: GAO Releases
Report on ARRA Education Programs GAO released a report on states’ use of
ARRA funds for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), Title I Grants to
local education agencies (LEAs), and Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA), Part B. To read the full report, click here: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-804.
Additionally, the survey of school districts used in the report can be accessed
here: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-885SP
June 30, 2011: GAO Releases Report on Race to the Top (RTT) GAO
released a report analyzing the RTT competition and its implementation in
states that received the RTT grants included in ARRA. The full text of the GAO
report can be found here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11658.pdf
September 24,
2010: ED Posts Updated State SFSF Monitoring Schedule ED posted an updated
state monitoring schedule for the SFSF as of
September 23, 2010. This schedule is now listed as Attachment E within the
monitoring plan. Click here to view the schedule: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/monitoring-plan-attachment-e.doc
September 2, 2010: ED Announces Awards Under Race to the Top Assessments
Program ED awarded
funding to two groups of states to develop a new generation of tests, which will
be aligned to the higher standards that have been developed by governors and
chief state school officers and adopted by 36 states. The grants are part of the
Race to the Top competition and will be awarded to the Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and the SMARTER Balanced
Assessment Consortium (SBAC) in the amounts of approximately $170 million and
$160 million, respectively. For additional details, click here:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-secretary-education-duncan-announces-winners-competition-improve-student-asse
Click here to visit the Race
to the Top Assessment Programs website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-assessment/index.html
August 24, 2010: Nine State and DC Win Second Round Race to the Top Grants ED announced that nine states and the District of Columbia have won grants in the Race to the Top competition. The 10 winning Phase 2 applications in are: the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Click here for details: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/nine-states-and-district-columbia-win-second-round-race-top-grants
August 5, 2010: ED Notifies Highest Ranking Applicants under i3 Program ED released the names of 49 school districts, non-profit education organizations, and institutions of higher education that have been selected for potential funding under the Investing in Innovation (i3) program. To receive a share of the $650 million in i3 grants, the winning applicants must secure a commitment for a 20% private sector match by September 8. Click here for additional details:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/nations-boldest-education-reform-plans-receive-federal-innovation-grants-once-pr
July 27, 2010: ED Announces 19 Race to the Top Finalists ED announced that 18 states and the District of Columbia are the finalists for the $3.4 billion available in the second round of the Race to the Top program. The 19 finalists are: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. These finalists all scored above 400 points on the 500-point grading scale. Finalists will travel to Washington, DC, during the week of August 9 to present their plans. ED intends to announce the winners in September. For more information, click here: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/19-states-named-finalists-race-top
June 23, 2010: ED Calls for
Comments on New Requirements for SFSF Annual Reports ED issued a notice regarding
specific information that State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) recipients
would be required to submit as part of their annual reports. Comments are due on
or before August 23, 2010. Click here to access the notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15179.pdf
June 18, 2010: ED
Updates SFSF Monitoring Documents ED recently updated several
monitoring plan documents for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF). Visit
the following site to access all the documents:
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/applicant.html
June 1, 2010: ED Announces Information on Submitted RTT Applications ED announced that 35 states and the District of Columbia submitted
applications to be considered for Phase 2 of the Race to the Top (RTT)
competition. ED will select the Phase 2 winners over the summer, using
the same process as Phase 1. Depending on the size of the winning
states, 10 to 15 states could receive grants. For more information,
please follow this link:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/35-states-and-dc-seek-share-34-billion-race-top-fund
May 2010: ED Updates SFSF Monitoring Schedule ED has made updates to its state monitoring schedule for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) program. Click here to access the updated monitoring schedule:
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/monitoring-plan-attachment-e.doc
April 14, 2010: ED Invites Applications for Phase II Race to the Top Awards
The Department of Education (ED) published a notice inviting applications for new Race to the Top Fund awards for FY 2010. Applications became available April 14, 2010, and the deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply for Phase 2 is May 4, 2010. For additional details, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8376.pdf
Click here to access ED's Race to the Top page:
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html
April 6, 2010: $350 Million Now Available to Help Consortia of States Create New Assessments ED announced that it has set aside up to $350 million of Race to the Top (RTT) funds to support a consortia of states in developing and implementing a new generation of assessments. For more information on this new category of RTT funding, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/04/04062010c.html
Click here for the new Assessment Programs website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-assessment/index.html
April 2, 2010: ED Releases Interim Final Requirements and Request for Comments for Race to the Top ED issued interim final requirements amending the Race to the Top fund to incorporate and make state budget guidance binding for Phase 2 of the competition. Follow this link for greater detail: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7409.pdf
March 29, 2010: Race to the Top Winners Announced ED announced the winners of phase 1 of Race to the Top, authorized under ARRA. Tennessee and Delaware were named the winners, set to receive $500 million and $100 million respectively in order to implement their comprehensive school reform plans. ED still has $3.4 billion to award in phase 2. For additional details, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03292010.html
March 12, 2010: ED Publishes Final Requirements for Investing in Innovation Fund The final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for the Investing in Innovation Fund are effective May 11, 2010. To view the final notice, see: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5147.pdf
More detailed information about the application process for this new program is available here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5139.pdf
March 8, 2010: ED Releases Application for the $650 Million Investing in Innovation Fund ED announced the final priorities and the grant application for the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund (i3). For more information, visit this link:
http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03082010.html
March 4, 2010: Finalists Announced in Phase 1 of Race to the Top Competition ED announced that 15 states and the District of Columbia will advance as finalists for phase 1 of the Race to the Top competition. Phase 1 winners will be announced in April. Applications for phase 2 are due June 1, 2010, with finalists announced in August and winners in September. The only states prohibited from applying in phase 2 are those that receive awards in phase 1. Click here for more details: http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03042010.html
March 1, 2010: ED Provides Timeline for Race to the Top Awards ED announced the timeline it will follow to notify states of Phase I Race to the Top (RTT) awards. On March 4, 2010, the department will notify, via e-mail, states that applied for Phase I as to whether they are a finalist to receive a grant. The department will then announce the winners. On March 5, 2010, the department will hold a conference call with the finalist states to provide them with additional details. ED will invite each state to send a team of five representatives to interview with the RTT peer review panel on their application the week of March 15, 2010.
January 27, 2010: ED Publishes Corrections for Race to the Top Final Rule ED published several corrections to the Race to the Top Final Rule, which was originally published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2009. Included as Appendix B to the November 18 Final Rule was the scoring rubric ED developed for scoring state applications. This January 27 publication makes several corrections to Appendix B of the Final Rule. To view the corrections, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1502.pdf
January 13, 2010: ED Publishes new Race to the Top FAQs The Race to the Top Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document, originally published on November 24, 2009, was updated to include the new FAQs. Click here for the FAQs page: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/faq.html
January 5, 2010: ED Publishes Addendums to Race to the Top FAQs The Department of Education (ED) published three addenda to its Race to the Top Frequently Asked Questions document. The addenda provide answers to a number of new questions as well as modify or extend responses to previous answers. Click here to access the Race to the Top FAQ site: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/faq.html
December 30, 2009: ED Will Host Three Additional Public Meetings on Race to the Top The Department of Education (ED) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing three additional public meetings in Washington, DC, on the development of a common assessment. These meetings will inform the development of the $350 million Race to the Top Assessment Competition that would support the state development of new assessments tied to a common set of standards. Prior stakeholders meetings were held in Denver, Boston, and Atlanta. Topic meetings and dates include:
1) Project and Consortium Management
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
2) Procurement
Thursday, January 14, 2010
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
3) General and Technical Assessment
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Additional information is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30975.pdf
November 24, 2009: ED Updates Race to the Top FAQs The Department of Education (ED) updated the Frequently Asked Questions section of their Race to the Top website. To access the information, go to: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/faq.html
November 12, 2009: ED Releases Final Application for Race to the Top Fund The Department of Education (ED) released the final application for more than $4 billion from the Race to the Top Fund, which is intended to reward states that have improved student performance in the past and have the capacity to continue achievement gains with additional reforms. For additional details, click here: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/11/11122009.html
November 9, 2009: Final SFSF Application Released ED released the application requirements for the final $11.5 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) under ARRA. The department is asking states to provide information on teacher distribution, the collection and use of data, standards, and assessments, and support for struggling schools. Additional information, including the application, requirements, and summary of the requirements can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/11/11092009.html
October 20, 2009: ED to Have Public Meetings to Gather Technical Input ED announced that it will hold public meetings across the country to listen and learn from assessment experts and practitioners. The goals include gathering technical input to inform the development of a Race to the Top Assessment Competition and to enable states and the public to learn from these events. The press release is available here:
http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10202009.html
October 6, 2009: Funds for Research-Based Innovative Programs Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the department's priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund. The fund, which is part of the $5 billion investment in school reform in ARRA, will support local efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that help close the achievement gap and improve outcomes for students. The proposed priorities were published in the Federal Register on October 9, 2009, and comments are due on November 9, 2009. To view the notice, please go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24387.pdf.
For information about the program, go to: http://www.ed.gov/programs/innovation/factsheet.html
September 30, 2009: MOE Alert Memorandum ED Inspector General released an alert memorandum on potential consequences of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF). The memo finds that the flexibility in the MOE requirements may be resulting in states reducing funding for public education and could adversely impact the achievement of education reform objectives of the SFSF program. The inspectorgeneral recommends that the department take action to reduce these potential consequences. To view the memo, go to:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/AlertMemorandums/l03j0011.pdf
September 2009: Public Comments, Race to the Top Funds ED has made available the public comments submitted in response to the Notice of Proposed Priorities for Race to the Top funds. They can be viewed at:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#docketDetail?R=ED-2009-OESE-0006
September 2009: Recommendations Sought for Race to the Top Funds ED is seeking recommendations for reviewers for the $4.35 billion Race to the Top fund. The deadline to apply is September 30. For more information, see:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html
The letter and application may be found at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/090902.html
July 29, 2009: Guidance for Race to the Top Funds ED published in the Federal Register proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for $4.3 billion in Race to the Top funds. Grants to states will be awarded on a competitive basis and are designed to encourage and reward states that are implementing significant education reforms across four assurance areas. The public comment period ends August 28, 2009: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17909.htm
July 29, 2009: Guidance for Phase II ED published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed requirements, definitions, and approval criteria for Phase II of the approximately $12.6 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding available to states that are implementing significant education reforms across four assurance areas. Public comments are due by August 28, 2009:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17906.htm
July 6, 2009: Higher Ed Financial Assistance Program Guidance ED released modified guidance for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds under ARRA to clarify that, in limited circumstances, state funding that is provided to public institutions of higher education for student financial assistance programs may be considered State support for these institutions:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/guidance-mod-07062009.pdf
June 24, 2009: Supplemental Guidance on Amending Approved Applications ED published supplemental guidance on amending an approved application for initial funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to reflect changes in the levels of state support for education. The guidance can be found at:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/guidance-amending.doc
July 1, 2009: Deadline for Phase 1 Funding Application ED published a notice to establish July 1, 2009, as the deadline for governors to submit a state's electronic application for Phase 1 funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Failure to do so will result in the state not receiving any Phase 1 or Phase 2 Stabilization funds.
SFSF application: http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/applicant.html
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11200.htm
June 15, 2009: Race to the Top Funds ED will use $350 million of the ARRA Race to the Top funds to assist states develop rigorous assessments linked to common standards. In addition, the department provided estimated time frames for the release of Race to the Top funds:
Late July 2009 - The department will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register, inviting public comment for 30 days on the proposed grant application and the criteria for evaluating them.
October 2009 - Notice inviting applications will be published in Federal Register.
December 2009 - Phase 1 applications will be due.
March 2010 - Phase 1 grants awarded, winners announced.
June 2010 - Phase 2 applications will be due.
September 2010 - Phase 2 grants awarded, winners announced.
For more information, see: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06152009a.html
May 1, 2009: Maintenance of Effort The Federal Register published a Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Maintenance of Effort Waiver Guidance. This guidance supplements the April 2009 Guidance on the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund program and provides additional information on the statutory maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirements and the process through which a state applies for an MOE waiver. The full clearance package, including the guidance document, can be viewed at:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/statutory/moe-guidance.pdf
The guidance is still a draft, and may be subject to change.
April 24, 2009: Usage of Funds FAQ that includes examples of potential uses of funds to improve educational outcomes, intended to spark ideas about how school districts and schools might use ARRA funds: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/uses.doc
April 1, 2009: State Stabilization Update Attached is a copy of the press release and the secretary's statement for the April 1 announcement regarding ARRA. Note that the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund application posted on the Department of Education (ED) website on April 1 was inaccurate. The corrected version was posted later in the day and can be accessed using the www.ed.gov/recovery link. The correct version has both the Recovery.gov seal as well as the ED seal on the cover--the incorrect version has only the ED seal. The changes pertain to a state's ability to choose what FY 2009 level to use.
State Stabilization Funds for School Modernization ED posted additional information on its web page containing guidance as to how schools can use State Stabilization dollars for school modernization projects under the stimulus package. These resources can be accessed through: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/modernization/index.html
Education Programs
Elementary and Secondary Education
September 23, 2010: ED Announces $442 Million in TIF
Grants ED announced the 62 winning applicants of the Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF)
grant competition, funded by ARRA and the regular appropriations process. The
winning applicants represent school districts, non-profit groups, and state
education organizations from 27 states. Click here for additional details: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-442-million-teacher-quality-grants-62-winners-27-
September 23, 2010: ED Publishes Interim Final Requirements for TIF
Evaluation Competition
ED amended the final requirements for the TIF program to authorize the
selection of more than 16 high-need schools per local educational agency (LEA)
for participation in the TIF national evaluation. The TIF evaluation
competition is in response to a requirement included in ARRA. For additional
details, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-23922.pdf
September 9, 2010: ED Provides Revised IDEA ARRA Guidance The Department of Education (ED) issued revised guidance for
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part B funds made available through
ARRA. Access the revised guidance here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/idea-b-revised-910.pdf
May 2010: ED Announces Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grants to 20 States ED awarded grants to 20 states for the design and implementation of statewide longitudinal data systems. These grants, funded under ARRA, are intended to support states with systems that promote the linking of data across time and databases, from early childhood into career, including matching teachers to students, while protecting student privacy and confidentiality. For more information, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/SLDS/
May 20, 2010: ED Begins Competition for $437 Million in Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) Grants ED made $437 million in Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grant applications available for school districts, non-profits, and states. TIF grants support local projects that reward teachers, principals, and other school personnel who improve student achievement. Applications are due July 6, 2010, and grants will be awarded in September 2010. These funds are available through both the ARRA and the FY 2010 appropriations. For more information, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/05/05202010.html
March 12, 2010: ED Releases Updated Guidance for Title I Grants to LEAs ED released updated guidance for Title I, Part A ARRA for Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). To view this guidance, click here:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/title-i-rev-201003.doc
December 18, 2009: ED Releases Title I School Improvement Grants Guidance ED released guidance to provide assistance in implementing the final requirements of the $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants included under ARRA and the regular FY 2009 appropriations process. You can find the guidance here:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/sif/guidance-20091218.doc
December 3, 2009: Applications Available for $3.5 Billion in Title I School Improvement Grants ED announced the final requirements for $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants included under ARRA and the regular FY 2009 appropriations process. Applications are due by Feb. 8, 2010. For additional details, including a link to the application, click here: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/12/12032009a.html
November 4, 2009: ED Extends Application Deadline for ARRA Funding through Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems ED extended the deadline date for the transmittal of applications to the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems program under ARRA. Eligible applicants now have until December 4, 2009, to apply for funding under this competition. Additional details are available here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26628.pdf
October 21, 2009: New ARRA Program Guidance Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wrote a letter to state-level education administrators highlighting new program guidance for ARRA funds provided through Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Click the following link for access to the new guidance:
In addition, the secretary expressed concern with some states changing their IDEA, Part B performance determinations simply so that additional local educational agencies can qualify to reduce their maintenance of effort (MOE). The letter is available here:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/idea-b-reform.pdf
September 4, 2009: Further Guidance Released ED made available ahead of schedule the second half of ARRA funding--$11.37 billion for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation grants. The press release is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09042009.html.
In addition, ED provided further guidance to states and schools on use of funds, flexibility, and the need for collaboration across programs. The new guidance on Title I, IDEA, and Response to Intervention (RTI) does not impose any requirements. It is designed to support and provide technical assistance to states and school districts as they decide how best to invest these resources. This guidance builds on earlier ARRA guidance released by the department in April 2009. The following web links provide the additional guidance:
* Title I ARRA funds:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/titlei-reform.pdf
* IDEA Part B ARRA funds:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/idea-b-reform.pdf
* IDEA Part C ARRA funds:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/idea-c-reform.pdf
* RTI guidance: http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/rti.html
September 3, 2009: Reporting Tip Sheets ED released tip sheets to assist recipients in completing ARRA reporting requirements:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html
August 26, 2009: School Improvement Secretary of Education Duncan announced draft requirements for $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants to turn around the nation's lowest performing schools. Press release: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08262009.html
Fact Sheet available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/sif/factsheet.html
Federal Register Notice: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2009-3/082609d.pdf
August 17, 2009: Title I Admin Funds ED published a proposal in the Federal Register to allow states to reserve more administrative funds under Title I-Part A and Special Education-Part B to offset some of the data collection costs in ARRA:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19662.pdf
August 3, 2009: Title I Special Ed and Vocational Rehab Funding Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, announced that the department will accelerate stimulus spending by making $11.37 billion in ARRA Title I, Special Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation funding available to states on or around September 1, 2009, one month early. The press release available at: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08032009.html
August 2009: Guidance for Public Comment on Title I Waivers ED released draft non-regulatory guidance for public comment on waivers for Title I, Part A ARRA funds: http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/title-i-waiver.doc
July 29, 2009: Funds for Data Systems ED published in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications for $245 million in grants to state education agencies to design, develop, and implement statewide, longitudinal data systems. Deadline for transmittal of applications is November 19, 2009: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17908.htm
July 24, 2009: New Grants to States, School Districts ED has released program documents for approximately $9 billion in new grants to states and school districts under ARRA. The documents are linked below, and can all be found at:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/programs.html
May 27, 2009: Teacher Quality Partnership Grants ED has issued a notice inviting applications for grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership Grants Program, which received $100 million under the ARRA. For more information, view the following notice from the Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-12180.htm
Higher Education
October 2, 2009: Section 1512 Reporting Information ED notified presidents and financial aid administrators at approximately 1,800 postsecondary education institutions that are subject to Section 1512 recipient reporting for the Federal Work-Study Program that they are required to register as users at http://www.federalreporting.gov/. Guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) set a threshold of $25,000 for ARRA reporting, which means, in the case of the Federal Work-Study Program, only institutions receiving at least $25,000 in ARRA funding for the 2009-10 Award Year are subject to these reporting requirements. ED notes that the $25,000 threshold applies only to ARRA funds received and not to the total amount of Federal Work-Study Program funds received by an institution for the 2009-10 Award Year. Also, ED clarified that no special reporting by institutions or states is required under the Federal Pell Grant Program. For more information, please see: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html
Vocational Programs
June 16, 2010: ED Publishes Notice of Final Priority Under Centers for Independent Living ED's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services announced a criteria under the Centers for Independent Living Program - Training and Technical Assistance, which may be used for awarding FY 2010 ARRA funds. Click here to access details: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-14404.pdf
May 10, 2010: ED Publishes Notice on Centers for Independent Living Program ED announced that it is accepting applications for FY 2010 awards under the Centers for Independent Living program. These awards are funded by ARRA and the regular appropriation process. Applications are due June 9, 2010. For additional details, including funding by state, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-11007.pdf
March 22, 2010: ED Issues Notice of Proposed Priority under Centers for Independent Living Program ED has proposed a priority that may be used in competitions for ARRA funds appropriated for the Centers for Independent Living program. For information about the proposed priority, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6229.pdf
Bond Programs
March 17, 2010: Treasury and Education Announce 2010 School Bond Allocation The Treasury Department and ED announced $11 billion in allocation authority to issue qualified school construction bonds under ARRA. Qualified school construction bonds can be used to finance the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land where a school will be built. Click here for additional details: http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03172010a.html
May 29, 2009: QSCBs and BABs Letter from Secretary of Education Duncan to chief state school officers regarding the authorization of Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) and Build America Bonds (BABs), and the extension of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs). http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/090529.html
How-To Guidance The Treasury Department released "how-to" guidance on the stimulus law's new taxable Build America Bond and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond programs, as well as allocations for the qualified zone academy bond and qualified school construction bond tax-credit programs. This information can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/taxexemptbond/article/0,,id=206034,00.html
Background Materials
ARRA Website The Department of Education (ED) has created a specific ARRA web page:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/
The website offers a press release, a more detailed fact sheet and links to budget information, including state-by-state allocations for formula-based programs as well as a brief "video statement" by Secretary Arne Duncan. For state-by-state allocations, go to: http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/10stbyprogram.pdf
Title I LEA Allocations Title I allocations broken down by LEA in each state can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/titlei/fy09recovery/index.html
Spending Reports ED has released spending reports, showing the obligation and liquidation of ARRA funds by program and by state. http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/reports.html
Race to the Top
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/factsheet.html
Federal Register notice:
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html
Investing in Innovation
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/innovation/factsheet.html
Teacher Incentive Fund
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherincentive/factsheet.html
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherincentive/index.html
State Longitudinal Data Systems
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/slds/factsheet.html
Website: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/slds/
Title I School Improvement Grants
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/sif/factsheet.html
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/sif/index.html
State Educational Technology Grants
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/edtech/factsheet.html
Guidance: http://www.ed.gov/programs/edtech/legislation.html
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/edtech/index.html
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund-Phase 2
Fact sheet: http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/factsheet.html
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/index.html
Initial Funding and Implementation Guidelines ED has released four documents concerning education funding in ARRA. The first describes the principles and strategy that will guide the distribution and implementation of ARRA funds appropriated to the U.S. Department of Education. The other three provide initial guidelines for three key components of the ARRA: the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund; Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The department will issue guidelines on other ARRA components as they are developed. All available information will be posted at: http://www.ed.gov/recovery/
Agency Slideshow A slideshow looks at guiding principles and funding availability for programs funded by the ARRA: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/presentation/index.html