Stimulus Part II

The details of the Federal Stimulus are starting to come out. It appears that most of the money earmarked for Title I and Special Education programs will merely be replacing lost State funding that the School District's would have had to provide from their fund balance.

It was disappointing to see such a small amount ($84,000) appropriated for building construction/renovation, an area where jobs can be created. In that aspect, the Stimulus package will not really deliver as advertised.

The verdict is not final since the package itself my be revised again before the fund are sent to the various schools.

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.

Washington and Greene districts will get about $23 million from the federal stimulus package

The state Department of Education released estimated figures of how much each district will get from the stimulus. Some of it will have to spent spent on special education. Some will have to be spent on Title 1, or school improvement. A House committee released those estimates in February.
However, more money is available for things like construction of quick projects and preventing teacher layoffs. So the state broke that down this week to give districts estimates of how much they will get overall.
Local districts say they need more information before deciding exactly how the money should be spent.
How do you think it should be spent?

How much is your district going to get from the federal stimulus package?

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor recently released estimates of how much each district will receive from the stimulus package. The committee broke down the amounts by special education and school improvement, also known as Title 1. Additional money will be available, but the state will have to decide who gets what.
Do you like how the money is being spent?