Using ARRA Funds for Education Reform
Potential Uses for ARRA Funds A compilation of U.S. Department of Education resources providing examples of potential uses for ARRA funds to drive school reform and improvement.
Using ARRA Funds to Drive School Reform and Improvement (Dated 24-Apr-2009; DOC; Outside Source) Education funds provided through ARRA provide grant recipients a unique opportunity to jump start school reform and improvement efforts.
Competitive Programs
Race to the Top (Outside Source) ARRA provides $4.35 billion nationwide for the Race to the Top (RTTT) Fund, a competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform areas. California applied for RTTT funds in the first round, but was not selected.
- Memorandum of Understanding for Race to the Top and Attachments (Posted 14-Dec-09; 55KB; 10pp.)
Joint letter, dated December 14, 2009, in which the California Department of Education, State Board of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Education address county and district superintendents and charter school administrators regarding a Memorandum of Understanding for the state to participate in the competition for Race to the Top funding. - Race to the Top Overview (Dated 24-Nov-2009; Outside Source) U.S. Department of Education slide presentation given to states summarizing key policies and application details.
Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) (Outside Source) ARRA provides $650 million for the Investing in Innovation Fund, which provides competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and nonprofit organizations in partnership with LEAs to expand the implementation of 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.
Teacher Quality Partnership Program (Outside Source) ARRA provides $100 million for competitive grants to eligible partnerships under the Teacher Quality Partnership Program. The purposes of the program are to:
- Improve student achievement;
- Improve the quality of new prospective teachers by improving the preparation of prospective teachers and enhancing professional development activities for teachers;
- Hold teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education accountable for preparing highly qualified teachers; and
- Recruit highly qualified individuals, including minorities and individuals from other occupations, into the teaching force.
Teacher Incentive Fund (Outside Source) ARRA provides $200 million for competitive grants to local educational agencies and states to develop and implement innovative strategies that provide financial incentives to recruit and retain teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gap in high-need schools.
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) (Outside Source) California has applied for a new grant; $250 million is available nationwide. California uses grant money to fund the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). CALPADS includes statewide assessment data, enrollment data, and other demographic and program participation data.
