American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Overview
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
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ARRA Areas of Education Reform
The U.S. Department of Education’s suggestions for spending stimulus funds center around four “assurances” on which states must make progress as a condition of accepting state stabilization money. These assurances are listed below along with some examples provided by the Department of Education showing how districts and schools might use ARRA funds.
| Example | State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) | Title I | IDEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improving teacher effectiveness and equitable distribution of highly qualified teachers |
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| Provide training and dual certification for English language learner (ELL) or special education teachers. | X | X | X |
| Identify and use effective teachers as great coaches and mentors. | X | X | X |
| Ensure a fair and reliable teacher evaluation system. | X | X | |
| Establishing data systems and using data for improvement | |||
| Create data systems that provide teachers with information on student progress. | X | ||
| Train educators to use data for decision making to improve instruction. | X | X | |
| Implement online Individual Education Programs (IEPs) aligned to standards. | X | X | |
| Providing support and interventions for lowest-performing schools | |||
| Close and reopen schools with new staff, new instructional programs, and additional learning time. | X | X | |
| Provide summer programs to help students succeed in algebra and college-preparatory classes. | X | X | |
| Improving results for all students | |||
| Strengthen early learning. | X | X | X |
| Use technology to improve teaching and learning. | X | ||
| Create accelerated tracks to college. | X | X | X |
| Invest in school modernization that advances energy efficiency, community, and early childhood. | X | ||
| Source: U.S. Department of Education. | |||