Every Thursday, REL-NEI highlights state-based resources, press releases, and news around the Northeast and Islands Region related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For a listing of REL Issues & Answers Reports categorized under ARRA topics and domains, click here.
ARRA Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) celebrated its one-year anniversary last week, having been signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. To mark the occasion, several governors in the Northeast and Islands Region released special reports or announcements, detailing the funds their states have received and expended from the Stimulus Act.
Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s office released a report describing the state’s activities to implement the Recovery Act. According to the report, the state thus far has received more than $600 million for education, nearly 28 percent of the Connecticut’s $2.6 billion in funding from ARRA. New York Gov. David Paterson issued a report prepared by the
New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet that highlights spending of ARRA funds thus far. Out of $31 billion the state expects to receive, $4.8 billion is anticipated for education, according to the report. Read the report and press release here. U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr.
announced the territory has received more than $156 million in formula and competitive awards from ARRA, with the money going to 19 different government, semi-autonomous, business, and charitable organizations that met federal requirements.
On March 2nd from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the New York State Education Department (NYSED) will host a webinar for school-district personnel to provide online training on ARRA 2008–09 school-level expenditure reporting. The session can enroll up to 150 people. Click here to learn more. In addition, NYSED has created a webpage where state residents can learn all about the Race to the Top (RTTT) competitive grant program, as well as view New York’s application. RTTT grant finalists will be announced next week.
On February 25th, Vermont Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca posted a memo announcing the state’s intention to submit on behalf of all K–12 schools an application to ARRA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The hope is that “last-mile” connections can be covered with the funding and bring high-speed connectivity to schools not currently able to acquire it. The application needs letters of commitment and support from K–12 schools, and Commissioner Vilaseca requested letters from state districts and schools. Click here to view the memo and the letter template. Letters must be submitted to the state department of education no later than March 8th.
On February 18th, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that Massachusetts will receive an additional $286 million in ARRA education funds, bringing the total to date to more than $1.6 billion. Like all states, Massachusetts was required to submit an application to ED for the additional funds, showing how the state will lay the foundation for reform in areas such as teacher evaluation and effectiveness, data systems, and school improvement. Also in Massachusetts, the state’s Recovery and Reinvestment Office released a Citizens’ Update detailing the impact of ARRA over the second reporting period (October through December 2009). According to the update, Masssachusetts expended nearly $560 million in education stimulus funds in 2009.
Education Week marked the one-year ARRA anniversary by issuing a special midterm report on the Act’s impact on education across the country. Published earlier this month, the report includes several news articles that offer analysis and implications of the unprecedented federal Stimulus Act.
For more information, visit these ARRA-related websites across the Northeast and Islands Region:
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
State Recovery Sites
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-local-tribal-and-territorial-resources
State Education Agency Recovery Sites
Education Week’s “Schools and the Stimulus”
http://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/schools-stimulus/index.html
