spending stimulus money

It looks like stimulus money is in fact coming to schools. In my district it seems that much of it is aimed at Title 1. This is the program that provides support to disadvantaged students. The trick in spending the money will be to use it in ways that are sustainable after the money goes away. Years ago, the State funded Instructional Support teachers in Title One schools. They provided additional teachers and intervention with students who were struggling. In many cases they prevented students from falling behind, or even from full special education placements. It is a program with a very direct payoff in student achievement. Unfortunately, few districts were able to maintain the program when state funding ended. Canon-Mac managed to continue funding the program, but of course chosing to do one thing always means choosing not to do someting else. The same thing has happened with "class size reduction teachers" and "cops in schools" funding. This time, I hope we find ways to use the temporary money that yield long term results without creating an ongoing budget issue. We haven't seen the spending rules yet, but here are some of my initial thoughts: 1) Teacher training - train and reinforce the specific skills teachers need to be effective with learners at many levels in the same classroom. Even our best teachers struggle with differentiation and the increased Special Ed population in their classes. 2) Improved technology - not just more computers, but assisted/adaptive learning technology, video conferencing tools and software that will make it easier for teachers to turn the results of mandated tests into effective targeted instruction within the curriculum. 3) Non-consumable materials - simple everyday items that help teachers teach. Globes, microscopes, maps, math manipulatives, books, clay, blocks, prints of great art, sheet music and simple instruments - no school has as many as they want, and at least some of them will be around after the stimulus ends. I'm sure every school has a wish list, and for many of us it may come down to being able to hold steady in a tough budget year. But we really must try to treat this as a one-time "gift", not permanent funding support.