District Administration - June 2009 - (Page 16)

Briefings Stimulus Monitor Not 100 Percent Clear on the Stimulus? Try These Sites THESE EDUCATION-RELATED NONprofits and companies have set up Web-based resource centers to provide information on the ARRA. NONpROfITS ASCD Allows visitors to see funding allocations for each state by guiding their mouse over a map. www.ascd.org/public_policy/Education_Stimulus_Resources.aspx National Education Foundation Includes downloadable state-bystate charts on ARRA school-related allocations. www.stimulusschools.org NSBA Gives district officials the chance to answer this question: How is your school district using the additional funds from the stimulus law? www.nsba.org/economicstimulus Schools Moving Up Includes links to five free webinars related to the ARRA’s education goals. www.schoolsmovingup.net/cs/smu/ print/htdocs/smu/arra.htm COmpANIES Curriculum Associates Includes a downloadable grid showing a precise mapping of the company’s products to Title 1 requirements. www.curriculumassociates.com/ ARRA Microsoft features a video discussion between microsoft’s general manager of U.S. education and its director of innovation and business development. www.microsoft.com/education/ stimulus Pearson Includes a downloadable pocket guide to ARRA school funding. www.pearsonschool.com/index. cfm?locator=PSZe39 Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Want to Race to the Top Together State education officialS from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, d.c., are preparing to apply together for part of the $4.35 billion in stimulus money that will be awarded to states who devise innovative plans to increase student achievement. These officials believe that a joint application will increase their chances of receiving a portion of this “Race to the top” fund. Speaking to a meeting of the Virginia Board of education, Gov. timothy Kaine said, “Secretary duncan suggested that Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine is helping to craft the Race to the Top program. regional proposals would be looked at very favorably because the dotted lines land’s Plain Dealer in May that he has between jurisdictions may or may not been involved in discussions with “two mean anything.” Kaine should know— or three other governors” about working he’s been asked by duncan to help with together on Race to the top. a spokesdeveloping certain parts of the competi- person later told da that these were “very preliminary, informal conversations with tive grant program. ohio Gov. ted Strickland told cleve- his fellow governors in our region.” Stimulus Sound Bites We asked administrators about the effects of the stimulus package, both pro and con, on their districts. What problems has your district encountered regarding the stimulus plan funds you have or will receive? Christopher Lyons, Office of the State (D.C.) Superintendent of Education: Our overarching problem is that the scope and scale of the crises we face dwarf the stimulus package. We have very aggressive school reform efforts underway, but our challenges are vast: A small minority of schools are making AYp, less than 50 percent of each student cohort graduate from high school, a tiny percentage complete postsecondary education. How is your district planning to spend its money in order to meet the DOE’s priorities? James Jewell, Harford County (Md.) Public Schools: my district will be using the Title 1 funds to improve low-performing students in already designated Title 1 schools. for the IDEA funds we will be starting an incounty program of enhanced services with therapeutic services to bring back some of the nonpublic placement students. We will also be using some funds for early intervention services for lowperforming schools and students. Does your state expect to apply for any of the Race to the Top funds? If so, what programs would you like these funds to support? Randall Collins, Waterford (Conn.) Public Schools: I think the governor is using the money to “backfill” state funding, which if I understand the guidelines, would take Connecticut out of the Race to the Top funds. I understand the situation we are in, but I was hoping for some real improvement efforts. www.DistrictAdministration.com. Read more responses. 16 June/July 2009 District Administration http://www.ascd.org/public_policy/Education_Stimulus_Resources.aspx http://www.stimulusschools.org http://www.nsba.org/economicstimulus http://www.schoolsmovingup.net/cs/smu/print/htdocs/smu/arra.htm http://www.curriculumassociates.com/ARRA http://www.curriculumassociates.com/ARRA http://www.microsoft.com/education/stimulus http://www.microsoft.com/education/stimulus http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZe39 http://www.DistrictAdministration.com http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZe39

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2009

District Administration - June 2009
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Stimulus Monitor
District Profile
Admin Profile
Crisis Response
Tech Disruptions
A Deeper Shade of Green
The New School Lunch
Business Brings Sustainable Lessons to School
A Netbook for Every Student
Vision Videos Empower Students
New Books
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
New Products
Problem Solution
Online Edge

District Administration - June 2009