Fort Worth ISD - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Fort Worth ISD > American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The economic stimulus package developed by Congress includes a strong focus on education. Signed into law in February, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will bring about $6 billion in new, one-time-only federal funding to Texas public schools. Actively involved in helping to shape the national initiative, the Fort Worth ISD is committed to using its share of the stimulus funds to improve teaching and learning throughout the District.

These funds are intended to satisfy multiple objectives, specifically to stimulate the economy and support job retention and creation. Within education, a secondary focus has been to support innovation in educational reforms in order to drive improved educational outcomes for students.

This education funding has been made available to multiple recipients in multiple ways. Most has been distributed through existing channels utilizing existing formula grant mechanisms (Title I, IDEA, etc). Under these programs, funds are distributed to states by the federal government for distribution to school districts.

Other funds are to be distributed to recipients directly or through competitive grants programs. One funding stream that has received much notice is the so-called Race to the Top (RttT). This pool of money, totaling $4.35 billion, is specifically earmarked for distribution by the US Department of Education as competitive grants to encourage and reward innovation and reform in education. These funds can only be awarded to states.

Additionally, other funding is available to various subgroups from the total ARRA.

What we're doing:

As soon as the stimulus package was proposed, Fort Worth ISD began developing an action plan to best use ARRA funds to benefit students.
An ad hoc stimulus committee was formed consisting of key administrators from departments that could receive stimulus funds.
This committee meets regularly to plan the district's response to this influx of funds so that our organization can best utilize them effectively and appropriately.

Future plans:

Fort Worth ISD will adjust its action plans as information is received and will continue to communicate to stakeholders as the economic stimulus package’s guidelines, regulations and details are promulgated.