Schools to Benefit from Stimulus Bill

Image by m-c via FlickrThe economic stimulus bill currently facing a House vote includes as much as $120-$142 billion for public school systems over the next two years, more than infrastructure, healthcare, or energy.

Approximately 12% of that money would go to repairing existing school buildings bringing them up to an acceptable level. About a billion dollars would also go to classroom modernization and providing students access to broadband Internet, computers and other 21st century technology. Full funding (or nearly so) of NCLB and other big ticket federal programs may also be included.

The goal is to provide a positive educational environment for students and teachers, as well as to create new jobs. Some critics contend that it is not enough, however, as various estimates claim the cost to repair and modernize schools is between $100 billion and $360 billion.

The House has allocated the funds in an attempt to get the money to the schools with the greatest need. Thirteen billion dollars goes to Title I, the proxy the government uses to determine the school districts with the highest need for academic improvement. Another $13 billion is tagged for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Approximately $14 billion is directed to a school modernization and repair program, $1 billion to an education technology program, and as much as $79 billion to state legislatures.

A significant challenge will be to make certain that states don't merely reduce their own education budgets in expectation of big federal increases.

Of course, there are some strings attached. Schools who want the money must spend a portion of it to develop high-quality educational test, ways to recruit and retain teachers, and longitudinal data systems to track long term school progress.

If the government gets it right, most observers agree, this stimulus package could help transform learning environments across America, putting our students on a level playing field in the years to come.

Sources:
Toppo, Greg. Stimulus gives schools $142B -- with strings. USA Today, Jan 19, 2009.
Goldman, David. Obama's school patchwork project. CNNMoney.com. Jan 15, 2009.