Governor David A. Paterson today announced that approximately 700 school districts and charter schools across the State will receive more than $900 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding, administered by the New York State Education Department, will be used to support school improvement efforts that address both teaching and learning.
The grants have been allocated to most school districts, particularly those in low-income communities where the need is great.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, while helping to relieve our immediate economic climate, has also made prudent investments in our future. The education grants we have announced today will help us target the school districts in need of improvement and provide our children with a strong foundation for future opportunities,” Governor Paterson said. “I thank President Obama and the New York State Congressional Delegation for making education a significant component of the stimulus program.”
The recipients are mandated to use the Title 1, Part A ARRA funds in a manner consistent with the statutory and regulatory requirements, including the provision of equitable services to eligible private school students. Examples of potential uses of the funds include:
– Providing extended learning opportunities (including early morning, after school and summer school programs);
– Using longitudinal data systems to drive improvement efforts;
– Establishing greater parent outreach and involvement efforts;
– Supporting targeted interventions to those groups of students who are not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress goals;
– Offering professional development opportunities for staff (including, for example, year-long training for all teachers and principals for schools in Corrective Action or Restructuring status);
– Providing training on the use of data to inform and improve instruction;
– Strengthening curriculum development; and
– Expanding early childhood education programs.
A complete list of schools and districts receiving these funds, some of which are located in the Bronx, is available here.
