Title 1 Program
The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.
Signed into law on February 17, 2009. The ARRA provides approximately $100 billion for education to save jobs, support states and school districts, and advance reforms and improvements that will create long-lasting results for our students.
"In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity - it is a prerequisite. The countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow." - President Barack Obama, 2/24/2009
Overarching Principles
The overall goals of the ARRA are to stimulate the economy in the short term and invest in education and other essential public services to ensure the long-term economic health of our nation. Four principles guide the distribution and use of ARRA funds:
- Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs. ARRA funds will be distributed as quickly as possible to avoid any layoffs and improve student achievement. The spending of the funds are to begin immediately to help drive the nation's economic recovery.
- Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform. The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund will provide additional funds to help students from all backgrounds achieve high standards and address four specific areas that are authorized under bipartisan education legislation.
- (1) Making progress toward rigorous college and career ready standards and high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities.
- (2) Establishing Pre-K to college and career data systems that track progress and foster continuous improvement.
- (3) Making improvements in teacher effectiveness.
- (4) Providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-performing schools.
- Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability. Recipients must publicly report on how funds are used in order to prevent fraud and abuse, support the most effective uses of ARRA funds, and accurately measure and track results.
- Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the "funding cliff." The ARRA funds are expected to be temporary and should be available for only two to three years. These funds should be invested in ways that do not result in unsustainable continuing commitments after the funding expires.