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

December 15, 2009: ED Announces ARRA Reporting Technical Assistance Webinar On December 16, 2009, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST, the Department of Education (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 

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

Elementary and Secondary Education

December 18, 2009: ED Releases Title I School Improvement Grants Guidance The Department of Education (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 The Department of Education (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

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

ARRA Website 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 The Department of Education 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