Charlie Rose's interview with Arne Duncan (Mar 2009).

The Race to the Top Fund, as Duncan calls it, is part of about $100 billion the bill would channel to public schools, universities and early childhood education programs nationwide, helping stave off teacher layoffs, keep class sizes in check and jump-start efforts to revamp aging schools.

Earlier this month, the Senate introduced their bill to reauthorize the Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001 -- The Achievement Through Technology and Innovation Act (ATTAIN). ATTAIN builds upon the successful education technology programs that began with No Child Left Behind and focuses more on systemic school redesign through the innovative use of technology. I am pleased to see that there is an increased focus on teachers and funding for sustainable and ongoing professional development.

Part B of the IDEA provides funds to state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help them ensure that children with disabilities, including children aged three through five, have access to a free appropriate public education to meet each child's unique needs and prepare him or her for further education, employment, and independent living. Part C of the IDEA provides funds to each state lead agency designated by the Governor to implement statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs and make early intervention services available to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant new funding for programs under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Specifically, the ARRA provides $10 billion in additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Title I, Part A funds to local education agencies (LEAs) for schools that have high concentrations of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards.

ARRA provides $12.2 billion in funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) under Part B and Part C. Part B consists of $11.3 billion allocated for Section 611 (ages 3-21) and $400 million for Section 619 (ages 3-5 only).1 $500 million is provided for Part C (infants and toddlers). In addition to IDEA funding, it's possible that other ARRA line items, including but not limited to Title I and Head Start funding, might also be dedicated to special education and educational reforms. State Fiscal \nStabilization Funds can also be used by states for these purposes, but there is no requirement that they do so/

To reform education, and ensure that America's classrooms provide support for all learners, Congress and President Obama have provided an additional $12.2 billion in funding for special education through the stimulus package, known by its acronym as ARRA. That's the good news. The bad news is these funds may be endangered if they are not spent effectively, and as intended.

Assurances are equired as a condition of receiving funds. LEA applicants do not need to sign and return the assurances with the application; they must be downloaded and kept on file for compliance reviews, complaint investigations, or audits.

14-page document that describes authorized uses of IDEA PartB funding from ARRA.

Nearly $44 billion for schools was made available April 1 and is to help states and school districts jump-start reform efforts and stabilize shrinking budgets. Another round of funding will be made available for states' applications later in the year, according to the federal Education Department.

In addition to the new programs established through ARRA, the U.S. Dept of Education will be temporarily increasing funding for a wide array of existing programs including progra,s authorized under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Special ed products, struggling learners, autism, Developmental disabilities, ELL/ESL

The U.S. Department of Education released a new PowerPoint overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on March 24. While much of the information we have already covered, there are some new points that are of importance to the charter community.

More federal stimulus money is proposed to flow into local school systems, this time focused on bringing technology to classrooms.\nTennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Commissioner of Education Timothy Webb on Tuesday announced more than $5.8 million in Title IID Education Technology funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

ARRA provides $12.2 billion in funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) under Part B and Part C. Part B consists of $11.3 billion allocated for Section 611 (ages 3-21) and $400 million for Section 619 (ages 3-5 only).1 $500 million is provided for Part C (infants and toddlers). In addition to IDEA funding, it's possible that other ARRA line items, including but not limited to Title I and Head Start funding, might also be dedicated to special education and educational reforms. State Fiscal Stabilization Funds can also be used by states for these purposes, but there is no requirement that they do so.

Includes over 5,000 citations and abstracts of screened, high-quality research reports on school reform and improvement from scholars throughout the US