NSTA: Schools and the Stimulus: How America's Public School Districts Are Using ARRA Funds

A survey released last week by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) of 160 school administrators finds that while school leaders “appreciate the opportunity the federal stimulus funding (ARRA) represents, a lack of flexibility in the funding and a need to fill federal, state, and local budget shortfalls are sizeable obstacles that many districts have been unable to overcome in their efforts to save jobs and effect change.”

When asked how their districts are using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to bring about education innovation and reform (a prerequisite states must agree to before accepting the funding) two thirds of respondents said they are either filling funding gaps or the ARRA funds represent only marginal growth in funding levels. While districts are using the one-time funds to save teaching and staff positions, less than half of respondents reported being able to save core subject teaching position as a result of ARRA dollars.

• Read the executive summary of the AASA report Schools and the Stimulus: How America’s Public School Districts Are Using ARRA Funds (PDF)
• Read the entire report (6 pages) (PDF)