Questions & Answers

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Q&A Summary:

State Specific

Q: The budget package in California reflects an increase in funding for 2009-2010; however, schools will not experience a funding increase because the funds are needed to backfill $4.6 billion in one-time solutions. What do you know about the stimulus funds in California?

AW: I attended the California SBE meeting in Sacramento yesterday, and it seems that there are some heavy concerns about the stimulus funds in California. Any additional information you have beyond the February 25 document from SSPI O?

JH: We are still waiting for the final word from California. Governor Schwarzenegger has yet to finalize the numbers to stabilize the schools. The big question is how the legislature is going to play in decisions about the allocations.

Q: I have heard that our governor in Arizona is thinking about not taking the stimulus package in order to help our state financially. Is this even possible? Can a state NOT take the funds?

AW: Yes, but this would apply only to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund portion of the package, which for Arizona would be in the range of $1 billion. The governor has to submit an application for these funds. If he doesn’t apply, the money supposedly will not flow to the state. At some point, it is likely the state legislature will become involved in this discussion and may be able to bypass the governor. We won’t know this until some state tries it.

Q: Can you explain how we can find out about the California and Florida situation? These are large states and could benefit many of us.

AW: The best source would be to watch the state recovery sites. California’s is at http://www.recovery.ca.gov/. Florida does not have a site as of yet, but check the interactive map at http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-recovery-page regularly to see when one is available. You might also want to watch the local papers. The Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/) does a decent job of covering the state’s education stories. In Florida, look for stories in the Miami Herald (http://www.miamiherald.com/) and the Tallahassee Democrat (http://www.tallahassee.com/).

JH: Let me add one more great state resource: http://www.staterecovery.org/education.

General Money

Q: Can we get a short summary on what project TYPE each of these funds (Title I, IDEA, etc.) can be used for?

AW: Title I funds are used to raise academic achievement levels among students failing and at risk of failing state academic achievement and content standards. Teacher training and professional development, individualized student plans, ongoing assessment of student progress, and parental involvement are key components of Title I. In schools where
40% or more of the students are poor, Title I funds can be used for school-wide programs to serve all students.

Title I funds are used to provide additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving children master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects. For example, funds support extra instruction in reading and mathematics, as well as special preschool, after-school, and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum. This includes personnel, materials, and program evaluation expenses.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funds are made available to assist them in meeting the costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. Funds under this program provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. Permitted expenditures include the salaries of special education teachers and costs associated with related services personnel, such as speech therapists and psychologists, materials and interventions for use with students, and evaluation and monitoring costs. Up to 15% may be spent for early intervening services.

Q: For the funding available at the end of March, when do you think the spending will start and how long do they have?

AW: Schools are urged to spend their money quickly, so some spending will start before the end of this current school year.

For Title I, 85% of all Title I recovery funds need to be obligated by September 30, 2010. The remaining funds will need to be obligated by September 30, 2011.

For IDEA, the Department of Education (DOE) says the Local Education Agency should obligate the majority of its IDEA recovery funds during school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 and the remainder during school year 2010-2011. All IDEA recovery funds must be obligated by September 30, 2011.

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) dollars are available for obligation at the state and local levels until September 30, 2011.

JH: States are encouraged to get the money to the districts by April 30.

Q: How will placement work for private preschools?

AW: The Department’s guidance for districts’ use of IDEA funds suggests that one of the possible uses for IDEA recovery funds would be to “expand the availability and range of inclusive placement options for preschoolers with disabilities by developing the capacity of public and private preschool programs to serve these children.” This is as much as is known right now.

There is no dedicated money for private preschools in the stimulus funding. The $2 billion for Child Care & Development Block Grants, which are administered by the Administration for Children and Families in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are used to help low-income families, families receiving public assistance, and those families transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care while they work or seek work. Services are provided through contracts with providers or certificates to parents. Parents can select any legally operating child care provider that meets basic health and safety requirements established by the state or tribe.

Q: Are any of the stimulus funds specifically designed to support MUSIC education programs?

AW: No money is targeted to music education, though it is not disallowed either. The Local Education Agency would need to establish music education as a priority and then tie that purchase to a funding source—like using Title I funds to purchase under a program designed to use music to help support increased student achievement.

JH: Also, the State Fiscal Stabilization Funds that are allocated to the schools AFTER the governors have stabilized schools can be spent in many ways. There is a great deal of flexibility to meet schools’ goals, including music.

Q: How much of the SFSF's $8.8 billion is estimated to be dedicated to public libraries? Do you have any indication? What would be the best source to locate this info?

AW: This $8.8 billion of SFSF funding is under the control of the governors, and while they may decide to use some of it to support public libraries, there is no directive to do so. This will be a state-by-state decision, and it seems unlikely that any significant funding will go to public libraries.

There is $200 million in the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to fund competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including community colleges and public libraries. You will have to track NTIA’s regs for this program and its timelines. NTIA is part of the Department of Commerce. Find more information at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.

Q: When will K-12 professional development funds be available? National rollout or state by state?

AW: There are no specific professional development (PD) funds in ARRA. But PD is an allowable expenditure under most of the big programs that the Department is funding—Title I, IDEA, and EETT. These funds flow to the states and then from the state to the Local Education Agencies. That is where the decisions about specific types of spending will be
made, with some state guidance, of course. So it is both a state-by-state and district-by-district decision.

JH: Also, the QZAB (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds) can be spent on professional development as it aligns with the overall plan.

Q: Will charter schools get any funding?

AW: This is funding intended for American public schools. So charter schools that are part of the public school system will be eligible to receive these funds. Specifically, any public charter school that benefits now from IDEA, Title I, or EETT will be likely to get a piece of the stimulus. The stabilization fund is used first to backfill cuts through the state’s school funding formula, so as long as the charter school gets money through the state’s funding formula, it could get money through the stabilization as well.

Q: Approximately how much of the stimulus funds are NOT targeted to Title I LEAs and available for all schools?

AW: The K-20 portion of the SFSF money ($39.8 billion) is intended to help schools avoid cuts to programming in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. This money will be distributed using the state’s primary school funding formula, so any school can receive this money. The governor could also allocate some portion of the $8.8 billion of the SFSF dedicated to Public Safety & Other Government Services to any public school. The other big pots of money are dedicated to uses in specific schools (Title I) or with specific populations (IDEA). IDEA funds will serve all types of schools as long as they serve IDEA eligible children.

Q: Are there any funds earmarked for physical education?

AW: No money is targeted for physical education.

JH: However, again the flexibility of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) allows the money allocated to schools AFTER stabilization to be used for flexible purposes, such as physical education. It must support the school’s plan so PE must be in that plan.

Q: Any funds earmarked for foreign language instruction, particularly for languages like Chinese and Arabic?

AW: No money is earmarked for foreign language instruction. However, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since foreign language assistance is an allowable activity under ESEA, SFSF could be used to support foreign language instruction.

Q: Where will the Pre-K funding primarily go? LEAs or will private providers receive any?

AW: The money under the control of the DOE, including SFSF money, is meant for public schools, so it will go to the LEAs. For Title I, the LEAs are encouraged to use some funding for school-based preschool programs.

For IDEA, some of the money is specifically dedicated to preschool programs. The Department of Education suggests that one of the possible uses for IDEA recovery funds would be to “expand the availability and range of inclusive placement options for preschoolers with disabilities by developing the capacity of public and private preschool programs to serve these children.”

There is also $2 billion for Child Care & Development Block Grants, which are administered by the Administration for Children and Families in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These grants are used to help low-income families, families receiving public assistance, and those families transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care while they work or seek work. Services are provided through contracts with providers or certificates to parents. Parents can select any legally operating child care provider that meets basic health and safety requirements established by the state or tribe. The legislation also allows the states to set aside $255,186,000 to support activities that improve the quality of programs, of which $93,587,000 shall be for activities that improve the quality of infant and toddler care.

Q: Do you think any of this money will be used for educational supplies to help with student achievement?

AW: Yes, just as it does today.

Q: With the IDEA funding, can this money be used for salaries, or will most of it go to other items?

JH: The regulations around ARRA are very clear. The money is to be used to supplement, not supplant. It cannot be used to pay for existing teachers. There may be instances that coaches are hired or some services are expanded. But districts are very aware that this funding is only for two years. How will they pay these people when ARRA funds are no longer available? The public outcry could be horrendous if pink slips go out then.

Q: Is any stimulus funding available for preschool early learning programs or for private school programs?

AW: The only dedicated preschool money is in IDEA to serve special education students: $500 million for Grants for Infants & Families (IDEA Part C) and $400 million for Special Ed Preschool Grants. The Department of Education suggests that one of the possible uses for IDEA recovery funds would be to “expand the availability and range of inclusive
placement options for preschoolers with disabilities by developing the capacity of public and private preschool programs to serve these children.”

In its guidance for Title I, the Department says: ”Congress in its ARRA conference report indicated its intent that grantees use some of their Title I funds for early childhood programs and activities. The Administration is committed over the long term to expanding early childhood educational opportunities and creating a more seamless web of high-quality services for parents and children. In the coming weeks, the Department will provide additional guidance on opportunities to use ARRA funds to expand high-quality early childhood educational services.” Again, this reference is to preschool programs within the LEAs.

Private preschools may benefit from the money provided to families under the Child Care & Development Block Grants program. These grants are used to help low-income families, families receiving public assistance, and those families transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care while they work or seek work. Services are provided through contracts with providers or certificates to parents. Parents can select any legally operating child care provider that meets basic health and safety requirements established by the state or tribe.

Q: How much and what funding is specifically available for school libraries?

AW: There is no dedicated money to support school libraries. Local Education Agencies may spend some portion of Title I dollars to support libraries as long as the expenditure is related to the district’s plan to improve student achievement and advance education reform.

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Literacy Through School Libraries is part ESEA, schools can use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: Will for-profit Pre-K sites receive any funding? How will nonprofit Pre-K sites be affected?

AW: As already stated, the only dedicated preschool money is in IDEA to serve special education students: $500 million for Grants for Infants & Families (IDEA Part C) and $400 million for Special Ed Preschool Grants. That money goes to the LEAs, though they may pass some of that along to private agencies contracted to provide special education services to the district’s preschool students.

Private preschools, both for profit and nonprofit, may benefit from the money provided to families under the Child Care & Development Block Grants program. These grants are used to help low-income families, families receiving public assistance, and those families transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care while they work or seek work. Services are provided through contracts with providers or certificates to parents. Parents can select any legally operating child care provider that meets basic health and safety requirements established by the state or tribe.

Q: What is the breakout of public, private, and Catholic school allocations? I couldn't hear the question or the answer that may have been asked a few minutes ago.

AW: There is no money in the stimulus package that can go to private or Catholic schools. The exception is that districts may use their Title I Part A recovery funds consistent with the Title I Part A statutory and regulatory requirements, including the requirements to provide equitable services to eligible private school students. Uses should be aligned with the core goals of ARRA to save and create jobs and to advance reforms. This is consistent with how districts currently use Title I funds.

Q: Clarification on the charter question: Will charters not chartered through public school districts, i.e., charters that are free standing LEAs, qualify to receive stimulus dollars?

AW: As long as the charter school is considered a public school, as opposed to a private or religious school, it should be eligible for stimulus funds.

Q: Any more details available regarding EETT Title II-D? Has the $269 million for 2009-2010 been allocated?

AW: The Title II-D recovery funds “will be made available beginning in fall 2009 and will be conditioned upon receipt of further information that will be outlined in future guidance.” This money will flow under the same regulations that apply to the Title II-D money that is part of the annual ESEA appropriation, though the Department may add something to that in its
future guidance.

The Omnibus Appropriation that passed and was signed by the President on March 9 includes $169 million for Title II-D.

Q: How much is left on the table? My experience is when schools and schools districts have to apply for funds many times they don't. I see many dollars that are just never used. What is your experience with this? What percentages of funds are never used?

AW: Given the current economic situation, it would seem reasonable to assume that most districts and schools will use this money. There is a provision in the SFSF part of the program for the Secretary of Education to redistribute unused funds. I don’t have any data on how much money is left on the table in more normal times.

Q: In relation to the question about Impact Aid Construction funds for playgrounds, etc., if these cannot be used, what money CAN be used for this purpose?

JH: Impact Aid Construction funds can be used to repair and modernize schools. Playgrounds are part of the schools and as such can be “repaired and modernized.” Remember, these funds go to school districts that: (1) local revenue is lost due to the presence of federally owned, and therefore tax-exempt, property and (2) for costs incurred due to "federally connected" students, such as the children of armed services personnel working at a nearby military base.

Q: What are NTIA Broadband funds?

AW: This refers to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunity Program. NTIA is part of the Department of Commerce. The Broadband Technology Opportunity Program makes awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies. Find more information at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.

Q: Is there any Title III money available?

AW: No. No money was allocated for Title III specifically, but limited English proficient students are frequently also served in Title I programs and may participate in early intervening services funded under IDEA.

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Title III programming is an allowable activity under ESEA, SFSF could be used to support Title III services.

Q: Can this be utilized to support tools for data-driven instruction?

AW: Yes. The Title I recovery funding is meant to support student achievement through school improvement and reform. As long as the tools for data-driven instruction are tied to improving student achievement, they are eligible for stimulus funds. Remember that one of the four assurances states must make under ARRA relates to using longitudinal data systems to drive continuous improvement efforts focused on improving achievement in Title I schools.

Q: Is there any money earmarked for after-school and/or summer enrichment programs?

AW: Funding is not specifically earmarked for after-school or summer enrichment programs, but these are allowable uses of Title I funding, so the Title I recovery money can be spent in this way. In its guidance for Title I Recovery finds, the Department cites “Establishing or expanding fiscally sustainable extended learning opportunities for Title I-eligible students in targeted assistance programs, including activities provided before school, after school, during the summer, or over an extended school year” as an appropriate use of Title I recovery funds.

JH: Also, IDEA funds can be used for summer programs as has been allowable over time.

Q: How might character education fit into stimulus funding?

AW: There is no specific funding for character education. However, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). If schools currently purchase your character education materials using ESEA funding, then they can use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: Where do you see libraries fitting into the stimulus funding (both school and public)?

AW: There is no dedicated money to support school libraries. Local Education Agencies could spend some portion of Title I dollars to support libraries as long as the expenditure is related to the district’s plan to improve student achievement and advance education reform.

Q: Which states do you expect will be getting the most dollars?

AW: The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund will be distributed to the states based on population, so the biggest states will get the lion’s share of the money. The formula and grant money from the Department of Education uses a variety of formulae, but in the end, big states and big districts get more money. Big winners include California, Texas, New York, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.

For preliminary estimates of allocations by program by state go to http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/09arrastatetables.pdf.

Q: Are there any funds that can be used for student recognition and incentives?

AW: There is no specific funding dedicated to student recognition and incentives. However, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). If schools currently purchase student recognition and incentive materials using ESEA funding, then they can use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: What would be the advantage of a state NOT taking the funds?

AW: South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who is contemplating not accepting stimulus money, objects to the strings associated with the stimulus money. In his view, the money would expand government with one-time money and would require South Carolina taxpayers to pay for services after the federal money had dried up. He has petitioned twice to be able to use $700 million in stimulus funding to reduce the state debt. Note that this argument is about all stimulus dollars, not just the education portion. Some governors have also discussed the possibility of refusing funding based on being fiscal conservatives. They say that it would be irresponsible to participate in what they view as an excessive federal funding program.

Q: How can we identify the school districts that qualify for funding and have a need for additions, renovations, and new construction?

JH: The amount of money available for targeted assistance programs in each district is already available. Here are some
sites to find that information:

http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/recovery.html
http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/titlei/fy09recovery/index.html
http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/01/school-districts-will-benefit.shtml

Q: What kind of funding will there be for Arts-in-Education programming? Both for field trips and in-school performances? Also, for residency and workshop programs, both for students and professional development?

AW: There is no specific funding dedicated to Arts-in-Education. However, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Arts-in-Education (ESEA V-D, subpart 15) is included in ESEA, schools could use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: Are there any funds available to higher education institutions for recruitment in order to boost overall college applications and enrollment?

AW: No, almost all of the higher education funding goes directly to students and families in the form of Pell grants and work study. ARRA gives the Department of Labor $3.95 billion for activities under the Workforce Investment Act, designed to support employment and training activities for adults and displaced workers. A local WIA board may award a contract to an institution of higher education if the local board determines that it would facilitate the training of multiple individuals in high-demand occupations.

Q: What is the amount for Title VII Part B?

AW: $70 million.

Q: Can any of those funds be used for libraries in the schools?

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since library services to support literacy are included in ESEA, schools can use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: In Phase Two of SFSF, will there be new competitive grants from the Department?

AW: No. The Phase Two SFSF money is not competitive. It goes to the governors to use within the established priorities, to restore support of public elementary, secondary, and higher education (81.8%) and for public safety and other government services (18.2%). The Department will be issuing specific guidelines detailing its expectations in this area. States will be required to submit a plan that provides details about strategies for addressing the education reform objectives described in the four assurances, describes its reporting mechanisms, and explains how the Recovery funding will be spent.

Q: Any estimate of how large a percentage of these funds will be eaten up by the mandated reporting?

AW: No idea at this point. The DOE guidance says that the Secretary intends to issue regulations to allow reasonable adjustments to the limitation on state administration expenditures in order to help states defray the costs of ARRA data collection requirements.

Q: Do we know how much funding NSF will be in charge of?

AW: NSF received $2.5 billion for research and related activities, including $100,000,000 for education and human resources, allocated as follows: Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, $60,000,000; Math and Science Partnership, $25,000,000; and Professional Science Master's Programs, $15,000,000.

Q: Which states have chosen not to accept/apply the stimulus funds?

AW: None at this point, though South Carolina seems to be on the brink of doing so. The governors of Louisiana and Minnesota have also expressed misgivings about the funding.

Q: Is any of this money available to help higher education retrain the workforce?

AW: No, almost all of the higher education funding goes directly to students and families in the form of Pell grants and work study. While this money does not go directly to higher ed, ARRA gives the Department of Labor $3.95 billion for activities under the Workforce Investment Act, designed to support employment and training activities for adults and displaced workers. A local WIA board may award a contract to an institution of higher education if the local board determines that it would facilitate the training of multiple individuals in high-demand occupations.

Q: Any details on monies going to higher ed purposes (state colleges and universities)? Are any of these monies going to university libraries? If so, for what purposes?

AW: Almost all of the higher education funding goes directly to students and families in the form of Pell grants ($17.1 billion) and work study ($200 million). There is $100 million for state grants to improve higher education teacher quality and to fill teacher shortages.

The State Fiscal Stabilization Funds going to higher ed are intended to restore support for institutions to the higher of FY2008 or FY2009 levels. IHEs may use program funds for: (1) education and general expenditures, and in such a way as to mitigate the need to raise tuition and fees for in-state students or (2) the modernization, renovation, or repair of IHE facilities that are primarily used for instruction, research, or student housing.

Q: How do you think this stimulus will impact school libraries from a realistic perspective?

AW: To the extent that school libraries purchase programs that are designed to improve student achievement and are tied to the school’s overall plans for closing the achievement gap, it is possible that they will have the ability to support those programs using stimulus funds. In reality, it will depend on how high the library stands on the school priority list.

Q: I'm not clear on this. Can the state legislature offset SFSF dollars by reducing state educational funding by an equal amount, with zero net gain for schools?

AW: No. As part of the application for SFSF funds, the governor must include an assurance that the state will maintain the same level of support for education in FY2009 through FY2011 as it did in FY2006. States that are in severe crisis can apply to the Secretary of Education for a waiver of this requirement. California and Florida appear to be likely to ask for such a waiver. It is not clear which other states, if any, will also ask for waivers.

Q: Does the state get dollars itself, or is it only going out to the districts?

AW: The vast majority of this money is pass-through. It goes to the State Education Agency, which applies the appropriate formulae to distribute the money to the Local Education Agencies.

Q: There was language in the presentation about secondary distance learning. Are funds available for districts to hire/retain teachers in K-8 distance learning programs?

To continue with the question...Are funds available for the development of distance learning programs in K-8 to help with class size reduction and transportation costs?

AW: There is no specific mention in ARRA of distance learning. To the extent that schools are using distance learning to meet the goals of their Title I programs, that use could be supported with stimulus funding.

JH: In the guidance for ARRA, there are many references encouraging the use of online learning (Title I, IDEA, Title II-D, and Title VII-B, etc.).

Q: How will funding flow to Title III?

AW: No money is directly allocated for Title III, but limited English proficient students are frequently also served in Title I programs and may participate in early intervening services funded under IDEA.

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Title III programming is an allowable activity under ESEA, SFSF could be used to support foreign language instruction.

Q: Will the "school improvement" funds be available for school sports facilities and equipment?

AW: No. This money is to help schools that are failing to meet academic goals.

Q: Can educational service districts in states obtain any of this stimulus money to fund professional development/training?

AW: Not as I understand the funding flow, though the educational service agencies could offer PD and the schools could use stimulus funds to pay for that service.

Q: What percentage of money do you expect to be spent on education technology?

AW: That’s hard to say. In addition to the technology-related funding for EETT, both Title I and IDEA use technology to support student learning for assessment, for data collection and analysis and for professional development purposes. They will be free to use recovery funds to support such uses. The extent to which they will do that is unknown.

Q: How about Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Competition Program CFDA 84.364A?

AW: Literacy Through School Libraries (ESEA I-B-4) is a Title I competitive grant program. The grant application process just closed on March 6. No specific stimulus money was allocated to Literacy Through School Libraries, but the districts could spend Title I funds to support school libraries.

General Definitions/Criteria

Q: What does the state-wide data systems fund cover and/or include?

AW: The money is for competitive grants for state-wide data systems. The Secretary is authorized to make grants to state education agencies to enable them to design, develop, and implement state-wide longitudinal data systems to efficiently and accurately manage, analyze, disaggregate, and use individual student data.

Q: Can a school commit their funds now with a provider and spread their programming out for multiple years, thus ensuring a continuation of educational opportunities for children in science and math enrichment into the future?

JH: Remember, ARRA is a program with cliff funding. That means the money MUST be spent entirely by the end of December 2011. No continuation can be addressed with these funds.

Q: Can you talk a little more about why you cannot bundle ongoing license fees into current pricing?

JH: The goal of this program is short-term investment for long-term benefit. You can bundle license fees for the term of ARRA, but the law says NONE after the end of ARRA. So you need to have districts pay for ongoing license fees with their normal NCLB funds, which will be distributed during the term of the ARRA funds as well.

Q: What are the product criteria for Title I? If that is a long answer, what resources do you recommend to get this information?

JH: Here are some sites that speak to Title I requirements:

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=158
http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html

Q: I have seen no references to school libraries. Anything in the package to help libraries stop cutting budgets?

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since schools currently purchase student recognition and incentive materials using ESEA funding, then they can use their SFSF for this purpose.

Q: Where can one find the record-keeping and reporting requirements for ARRA?

AW: Right now they are scattered around. The ARRA act sets out some reporting requirements specific to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF). Other, very general guidelines are found in the guidance the Department of Education has published on its Web site for Title I, IDEA, and SFSF funds.

The SFSF authorization also contains specific reporting requirements to help ensure transparency and accountability for program funds. For example, states must report to the Department on, among other things: (1) the use of funds provided under the SFSF program, (2) the estimated number of jobs created or saved with program funds, (3) estimated tax increases that were averted as a result of program funds, and (4) the state's progress in the areas covered by the application assurances. States must maintain records that will permit the Department to monitor, evaluate, and audit the SFSF effectively.

The Department is expected to issue more guidance on reporting requirements.

Q: Originally, it was reported that ARRA stimulus money had to be spent by September 30, 2010. Has that now been changed to September 30, 2011?

AW: Yes, this information has changed.

For Title I, 85% of all Title I recovery funds need to be obligated by September 30, 2010. The remaining funds will need to be obligated by September 30, 2011.

For IDEA, the DOE says the Local Education Agency should obligate the majority of its IDEA recovery funds during school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 and the remainder during school year 2010-2011. All IDEA recovery funds must be obligated by September 30, 2011.

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) dollars are available for obligation at the state and local levels until September 30, 2011.

Q: What information do you have about funding related to Head Start programs?

AW: There is $1 billion for Head Start and $1.2 billion for Early Head Start. That money is under the control of the Administration for Children and Families in the Department for Health and Human Services. It should be used under the same guidelines that apply to regular Head Start funding.

Q: Will the Impact Aid Construction funds cover ancillary items like playgrounds, site improvements, bus garages, etc., or will it be targeted toward building improvements that tie directly to education only?

JH: Impact Aid Construction funds can be used to repair and modernize schools. Playgrounds are part of the schools and as such can be “repaired and modernized.” That includes site improvements, and if the bus garages serve these schools and are paid for by federal funds, they too can be improved. Remember, these funds go to school districts that: (1) local revenue is lost due to the presence of federally owned, and therefore tax-exempt, property and (2) for costs incurred due to "federally connected" students, such as the children of armed services personnel working at a nearby military base.

Q: Some have said any spending will be stopgap, only to bring them back to where they were before budget cuts. True/false? Please discuss.

AW: It will be a mixed bag, depending on the funding source and how severe the budget crisis is in each state. The State Fiscal Stabilization Funds will largely be used to backfill budget holes with the intent of restoring school budgets to 2008 or 2009 levels. The IDEA and Title I funding is massive, however, and should allow schools to move forward with
programs designed to support the needs of the target audiences.

Q: Do you think we will need to ship physical products by June 30? For print products?

AW: The guidance says funds will need to be obligated. I don’t think that will be interpreted as needing to have print products in the school building by June 30, 2010, but it is likely that products purchased with stimulus funds will be expected to be delivered within a reasonable period.

Q: What sort of assistive technology do schools buy?

JH: Assistive devices include everything from wheelchairs to a wide assortment of high-tech tools, including:

Hearing aids and amplification devices that enable hearing-impaired students to hear what's going on in the classroom
Glare-reduction screens, screen magnifiers, and Braille note-taking devices that enable visually impaired students to participate more fully
Voice-recognition software that turns the spoken word into type on a computer screen so students unable to move their limbs can take part
Technologies that enable severely disabled students to control their computers simply by following letters and commands on the computer screen with their eyes

Q: Is there any detail on the "green building" component of the construction/rehab funds? Which department oversees these outlays?

AW: The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which the Department of Education will distribute to the governors, includes a recommendation that “To the extent LEAs use funds for modernization, renovation, or repair, they should consider the use of facilities for early childhood education and for the community and should create ‘green’ buildings.”

There are resources on the DOE site (http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/modernization/index.html) that relate to the construction/modernization funds, including a link to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Build Green Schools program. These resources are informational rather than regulatory.

There is a useful fact sheet on the tax credit bond program, including the Qualified School Academy Zones (QZABs) and Qualified School Construction Bonds at http://www.gfoa.org/downloads/taxcreditbonds.pdf.

Q: Can states use their current funding that they were giving to IDEA for other purposes since they are getting this federal money?

AW: No, states must pass the IDEA recovery funding they receive on to the local districts. Districts may redirect a limited amount of their IDEA recovery funding following the IDEA 2004 50% Maintenance of Effort provision. If an LEA’s fiscal year allocation exceeds its allocation from the previous year (which it will for many LEAs that receive ARRA funds), the LEA can reduce the level of state and local expenditures by up to 50% of the increase, as long as the reduced or freed-up funds are used for authorized ESEA purposes. SEAs will be expected to collect and report information on the use of any freed-up funds.

Q: Where can I find which products qualify?

AW: There is no specific list of products that qualify. The Department of Education publishes a Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs that provides information on all programs administered by the Department.

JH: I don’t think the Department will get into the business of listing products.

Q: Is eRate mentioned?

AW: No, e-Rate is not mentioned.

Q: I heard today on Good Morning America that there might be another stimulus plan being looked at on top of this one. Heard anything about that?

AW: Yes, the rumors are flying. This is a “stay-tuned” area.

Q: The ed.gov site posted a timeline chart this week showing EETT funding available June/July. Is that the "fall 2009" that was published? The doc is now no longer available, but I was told it is coming back up soon.

AW: The Department of Education says the EETT funds “will be made available beginning in fall 2009.”

Q: Are the longitudinal data systems at the state level or district?

Q: Where do English Learners fit into this? Special Ed?

AW: Special education students are served under IDEA, which is receiving a total of $12.2 billion in stimulus funding.

No money was allocated for Title III specifically, but ELL students are frequently also served in Title I programs and may participate in early intervening services funded under IDEA.

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Title III/ELL programming is an allowable activity under ESEA, SFSF could be used to support English Language Learners.

Q: Regarding IDEA funds – Does that need to be allied through the LEA?

AW: IDEA funds will flow from the states to the LEAs.

Q: Who is the customer for the Title V11-B funding?

AW: Schools serving significant number of homeless children.

Q: What are the specific requirements and funds for parent involvement programs in Title I?

JH: Take a look at this document: www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/parentinvguid.doc.

Q: Which, if any, of the funds would a nonprofit with a successful and growing program in informal high school STEM education be eligible to apply for?

AW: You would not apply for funds; you would approach schools with your product and suggest to them that they could use stimulus funds for their purchase. That said, there is no specific funding to support high school STEM, but districts with Title I high school programs could use those funds to purchase STEM resources.

Q: I think on Slide 24 (thereabouts) Jenny mentioned 15% for Early Intervention of...was it $13B? I joined late and missed Slides 1-20.

AW: It is 15% of the $11.7 billion in IDEA Part B money.

Q: Since data systems are a continuing thread, is it, in your opinion, that Title I and IDEA funds could be used for SIS's?

AW: That’s not totally clear. IDEA funds are not a likely source for SIS purchases, since IDEA money must serve only IDEA-eligible students. They could purchase systems meant to manage IEPs, track funding and other IDEA regulations, etc.

Q: Under the School Fiscal Stabilization Fund, there was a listing "for public safety...and other government services." How do I get details related to school safety services?

AW: That portion of the School Fiscal Stabilization Fund is broader than just funding school programs, so the reference is not specifically to school safety programs. That said, schools will be able to spend SFSF for school safety since that is an activity authorized under ESEA.

Q: How long will educators have to spend the first March 2009 tranche of Title I and IDEA funds? Deadline?

AW: The spending deadlines apply to all the Title I and IDEA funds, not just the first 50% being made available by the end
of March.

Q: What funds, other than Title II Part D, will nonpublic schools have access to?

AW: There is no stimulus funding that nonpublic schools can access directly, including Title II Part D. Title I public schools can use Recovery funding to provide equitable services to eligible private school students, as they do now. Some IDEA funds may also flow to nonpublic schools to provide specialized services for IDEA students, but this is in the form of payment for services under the control of the LEA.

Q: Where can one find the different formulas that the feds will be using to distribute funds?

JH: Please consult the ARRA information on ed.gov. Each funding source has guidance about what formula is used for each allocation. The two Overview documents contain the details as does the guidance about each funding source.

Q: For Assistive Technology Products, is the best bet to focus on the IDEA and Title II-D funds available?

AW: The best bet is to focus on the IDEA funds. Title II-D funding is intended to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology, ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, and encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems with teacher training and curriculum development.

Q: Do any Title I ARRA funds apply to SES?

AW: Yes, Title I recovery funds can be used for SES.

Q: In reading the guidances so far, it appears that there is an undercurrent in support of districts or entities that have been successful with projects before. Do you think priority for the competitive grant programs will be given to experienced applicants?

AW: It is likely that the competitive grants will be crafted in such a way as to present a level playing field that allows both experienced schools and those with new and innovative approaches to apply.

JH: Also, the Race to the Top and What Works and Innovations grants that will be available through Secretary Duncan’s office will definitely consider entities with prior success or at least that is what we have been led to believe.

Q: Will the funds be in states' or districts' hands by the end of March? What is the goal?

AW: The Department of Education will distribute the first round of funding to the State Education Agencies by the end of March 2009.

Q: Will LAUSD see much benefit from this given states'current deficit?

JH: LAUSD will receive large amounts of funds from all of the targeted assistance funds (Title I, IDEA, etc.). What remains to be seen is how much the district will get from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF).

Q: Is there any component of funding specifically targeted/mandated for green solutions or energy efficiency? Suppose this would fall under the $22 billion general construction/capital funding, but is there anything new or specifically identified?

Q: What happens if the school cannot prove improvement at the end of the two years?

AW: There is no language in the legislation or the current guidance that requires the schools to reach some level of improvement at the end of the two-year period. Improvement is the goal, but measures for that goal are not spelled out.

Q: For dollars that nonprofits can apply for, do you think priority will be given to those who are partnering or applying through SEA/LEA?

AW: The only money that nonprofits are eligible for is the $650 million Innovation Fund. This money can be awarded to LEAs or to a partnership between a nonprofit and SEA, LEA, or 1+ school with achievement gains.

Q: Is there any specific wording in ARRA that would support book purchases?

AW: No. But it is clear that books can be purchased with ARRA funds to the extent that the books are part of a program to improve student achievement.

Q: In light of the goals for transparency and accountability, do you anticipate that for competitive programs, a priority will be given to districts that can be part of the story of "selling" the stimulus through their Web sites, etc.?

AW: This is an interesting idea, but any comment would be speculative. It would make the most sense as a consideration in awarding the discretionary SFSF money that is under the Secretary of Education’s control.

Q: In reference to Professional Development, could you speak specifically to "intensive yearlong teacher training for all teachers and principals"?

AW: This is one of the examples the Department of Education provides of potential uses of the Title I Part A recovery funds that are allowable under Title I and consistent with ARRA principles. The idea is that such intensive and widespread training can build teachers' capacity to address academic achievement problems and ultimately contribute to improved student achievement.

Q: Of the 15% of the IDEA for Intervention, does that include Tier II Intervention Programs?

AW: It is the 15% that districts are allowed to use for early intervening services or RtI programs, which would include Tier II services.

Q: Do supplemental products, such as DVDs that align to standards, fill long-term gain criteria, especially if on timeless topics, i.e., watch for years?

AW: Schools can use stimulus funds to purchase materials that support the goals of improving student achievement. While I see the marketing story in the “timeless topics” and “watch for years” approach, I think schools are more likely toevaluate supplemental products in terms of their alignment to standards—the extent to which the materials support specific school programs focused on improving student achievement and any evidence of product effectiveness, especially among the population of students with whom the schools want to use the materials.

Q: Which Web site will guidelines be posted to? Recover.gov or DOE?

AW: Both, though it will probably be easier to find them at the DOE site. Bookmark:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html.

Q: Can Title I PD dollars be spent in schools that are NOT in corrective action? What if the state wants an initiative to lift up all teachers or that doesn’t have a high number of schools in corrective action?

JH: Absolutely. The funds that must be used only for schools in corrective action are those in the $3 billion pot for School Improvement.

Q: For the 50% of Title I/IDEA funds being delivered from Department to states by the end of March, how are those dollars distributed? Governors have to release the dollars to their district LEAs by April 2009 but do governors determine how to spend dollars or do the LEAs?

AW: The governors have nothing to do with the IDEA funds. Governors only have control over State Fiscal Stabilization Funds. The $5.85 billion in IDEA funds to be released at the end of March will go to the State Education Agency and then be distributed to the LEAs. The LEAs will make the final determination of how the money will be spent within IDEA rules and regulations.

Q: In general, are the Title I funds distributed and spent just as previous funds have been? In other words, no additional procedures/policies?

AW: Yes. All the funds will be awarded under each state's existing approved Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) Consolidated State Application. The only new requirement will be that in order to receive the last 50% of funding, the states must submit, for review and approval by the Department, an amendment to its Consolidated
Application that addresses how it will meet the record-keeping and reporting requirements of the ARRA.

Q: With many ways to spend this money, in your opinion, what are the most motivating factors for superintendents and assistant superintendents to spend this money? In other words, what areas do you think they are looking at the most?

AW: This is highly variable, depending on the most pressing problems the district faces. For many Title I schools, leaders will be almost totally focused on improving student achievement and closing the achievement gap, looking for fairly traditional solutions. Other districts may be more interested in using this funding to support innovative programs and approaches or to build out a foundation of technology or materials that they can use to support student achievement moving forward. I think the same themes that you hear from these school leaders as they try to cope with the demands of NCLB will be the same themes and motivators for this money.

Q: How long will it take the states to get the funds down to the district level?

AW: This will vary by state, since they have different capability levels. But since they are all using the established and familiar funding mechanisms, it should not take very long.

Q: What meets Title I and IDEA criteria, and where could I find definition?

JH: Check out these Web sites for:

Title I

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=158
http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html

IDEA

The details are outlined in the regulations, but you could really get buried there. I use this site: http://idea.ed.gov/explore/search

Another good and easy resource:
http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/nd21.pdf

Q: How much is decision making at the district versus state level on stimulus funds?

AW: The states may have more say in the competitive programs like EETT, but for IDEA and Title I funds, most decisions will be made at the district level.

Q: Do you think ARRA funds will help school-based RIF programs?

AW: They could, since RIF is an allowable ESEA program. The issue will be where RIF falls on the list of school priorities.

Q: Around data driven decision making, do you know if the funds will be for PD—how to use data to inform improvements in teaching and learning as well as technology to capture the data?

AW: Yes, it will be permissible to use stimulus funds for PD on how to use data to inform instruction. The extent to which that happens will depend on districts’ and schools’ priorities.

Q: Can you recap the threshold dates for the release of all the SFSF and ARRA funds on FY2009-2011?

SFSF Funds 67% by the end of March 2009. Remaining 33% in the period from July 1 to September 30, 2009

Title I Part A, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants 50% by the end of March 2009. Remaining 50% in the period from July 1 to September 30, 2009

Education for Homeless Youth - 100% by the end of March 2009

Independent Living Services - $52.5 million by formula by the end of March 2009. Remaining $87.5 through competitive grants at a later date

Impact Aid Construction - $40 million by formula by the end of March 2009. $60 million through competitive grants at a later date

School Improvement Grants and Educational Technology State Grants - Fall 2009 conditioned on the receipt of further information

Teacher Incentive Fund, Teacher Quality Enhancement, State-Wide Data Systems - Fall 2009 through a competitive grant process

Q: How do you calculate the "exact" opportunities for specific customers?

JH: We all would like that answer! There is no way to predict exact opportunities. You must align your products and services with the requirements of each funding source.

Q: What do we know about the reporting requirements for the use of the funds? How extensive are they? What will need to be a part of the report?

AW: Not much in the way of specifics right now.

ARRA requires all participants to report publicly on their use of ARRA funds. LEAs will have to ensure transparency. It is likely that recipients will have to follow and supply documentation that they have done for all the guidelines and regulations in effect for the funding stream—Title I, IDEA, etc.—but there are also likely to be other ARRA specific requirements as well.

In addition, all funds distributed from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund contain very specific reporting requirements, which include how and when money was spent and detailing of what, if any, progress was made as a result of the funding.

The Department of Education has stated more guidance and applications for these funds will be available by the end of March 2009.

Q: Please confirm which Web site I can go to see the state plans—possible to pass along those Web addresses again.

AW: State-level recovery activities will be most easily found from the Recovery.org site. There is an interactive map
(http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-recovery-page) that will take the user to state Web sites that help explain how they are spending funds allocated by the Recovery Act. These are sites that cover all of the state activity under the ARRA and are not education specific. The best of them have an easy-t- find link to the State Departments of Education recovery pages. This is all changing rapidly and will require regular monitoring.

Q: How about Title III Administrators and services to ELL?

AW: No money was allocated for Title III specifically, but ELL students are frequently also served in Title I programs and may participate in early intervening services funded under IDEA.

In addition, under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), schools may use the K-20 portion of those funds (81.8% of the state allocation) for any activity authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (which includes the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Adult Education Act), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act). Since Title III programming is an allowable activity under ESEA, SFSF could be used to support Title III services.

Q: How will the stimulus funding affect the amount of fund-raising schools will do in the next two years?

AW: It may take some of the pressure off, but remember that school fund-raising serves many purposes, and it is likely that most of those efforts will continue.

Q: Are children's museums a good opportunity?

AW: There is no funding directed to children’s museums.

Q: Does this mean that they can SUPPLEMENT but not SUPPLANT services?

AW: Yes, the general rule for all the ARRA education funding will be supplement, not supplant.

Product Specific

Q: I sell playground/park and rec equipment and surfacing. What category would this spending fall into? Definitely a "short-term investment with a long-term benefit." Suggestions on how/who to approach?

JH: Your best bet is the construction bonds.

Impact Aid Construction Bonds: http://www.newamerica.net/programs/education_policy/
federal_education_budget_project/impact_aid_program

Because the new Qualified School Construction Bonds authorization is a "tax-side" initiative, the Department of the Treasury is implementing it. They will be announcing the allocations to states and to large local educational agencies very shortly.

Qualified Zone Academy Bonds:
http://www.qzab.org/what_is.asp

Q: Would a week-long summer science and math enrichment camp for children K-5 that focuses on creativity, problem solving, and immersion activities that compensates teachers and teenage counselors have a good chance of partnering with schools for this funding?

AW: It sounds like it has potential. This type of program would fall under Title I, so it would need to serve low-achieving students and be designed to expand their horizons and improve students’ achievement. This type of programming could also serve the needs of gifted and talented students and schools could use State Fiscal Stabilization Funding for this
purpose.

Q: If you are a private provider of alternative education/dropout prevention programs that partners with school districts to help impact these students, which funds would you recommend for school districts to use to pay for these partnerships?

AW: This is largely funded under Title I.

Q: What would you recommend for companies that offer ongoing service costs?

JH: You want to target the ongoing NCLB funds that districts will continue to receive for ongoing costs.

Q: We have an online content site which is being sold as an annual subscription. The price, per pupil, is not expensive. Should we continue selling it with an annual fee, or should we offer a multi-year price?

JH: If districts or schools are buying your subscription with ARRA funds, the time limit must end at the end of ARRA. Use the ongoing NCLB funds for the ongoing subscriptions.

Q: How will traditional books fit into school library/media centers?

AW: They will continue to be marketed and used as they are under ESEA.

Q: For hardware products (printers, scanners, projectors), does the school need physical possession of products by June 30 or as stated regarding textbooks, the money only needs to be obligated?

AW: The guidance says funds will need to be obligated. I don’t think that will be interpreted as needing to have all products in the school building by June 30, 2010, but it is likely that products purchased with stimulus funds will be expected to be delivered within a reasonable period.

Q: Hi, I sell preventative maintenance products for computers to keep them up and running, static free to prevent data loss, and clean to help stop the spread of germs. Will there be any funds for what we sell?

AW: There is no specific funding dedicated to this type of service.

Q: Can you clarify your recommendation for selling maintenance or subscriptions in conjunction with these funds?

JH: If districts or schools are buying your subscription with ARRA funds, the time limit must end at the end of ARRA. Use the ongoing NCLB funds for the ongoing subscriptions.
Q: How can a startup company still developing a data-related product capitalize on stimulus funding?

AW: I think you will have to have a product in hand to really take advantage of stimulus funding. Remember that the schools continue to have the full range of operating funds moving forward that you can tap into when you are ready to bring the product to market.

Q: What are the requirements for playground funding?

AW: There is no playground funding in the stimulus package.

Q: As a nonprofit organization that provides character-based assembly programs across the nation, are there any funds available to schools through the stimulus package for these kinds of initiatives?

Q: We provide the Educator's Virtual Mentor, an online professional development resource. How would you suggest charging for what was a subscription-based product?

JH: If districts or schools are buying your subscription with ARRA funds, the time limit must end at the end of ARRA. Use the ongoing NCLB funds for the ongoing subscriptions.

Q: We speak in schools to students and parents, train a leadership group, and then provide ongoing support to helps schools. I am curious about monies with the stimulus package that would be helpful for us to know.

AW: There is no specific funding targeted to this type of service. You would have to tie this leadership training program to goals addressed by ARRA—improving student achievement through school improvement and reform, closing the achievement gap, and helping students from all backgrounds achieve high standards. If the program is especially effective with low-performing students, it might also help districts address the mandate of providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-performing schools. The most likely funding source would be Title I dollars.

Q: We provide seminars on how to work with "troubled students" topics. Most participants are school counselors, but we also have a good percentage of teachers. What do you recommend are implications of this new funding for us?

AW: Again, there is no specific funding targeted to this type of service, but it could be seen as a form of professional development. You would have to tie these seminar programs to goals addressed by ARRA—improving student achievement through school improvement and reform, closing the achievement gap, helping students from all backgrounds achieve high standards, and improving teacher effectiveness. If the program is especially effective with low-performing students, it might also help districts address the mandate of providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-performing schools. It would seem that both Title I and IDEA funds could be used to support this service.

Q: How can we sell technology products without ongoing maintenance and support?

JH: You sell maintenance and support for the term of ARRA only. Districts purchase the ongoing contract that goes beyond two years with their ongoing funding sources, such as NCLB.

Q: Our company targets school and public libraries. What is the impact directly on libraries?

Similarly, there is no dedicated money for public libraries, with the exception of $200 million in the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to fund competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including community colleges and public libraries. You will have to track NTIA’s regs for this program and its timelines. NTIA is part of the Department of Commerce. Find more information at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.

The bottom line is that what funding libraries receive will depend on how high they rank on the districts’ or the governors’ priority lists.

Subscription Questions

Q: One challenge with online content and software applications, annual subscription based -- will schools be hesitating to purchase subscriptions since the additional funds are temporary?

JH: No, that will not stop sales. It gives them a great opportunity to try these products that they might not have before and then will extend their life through the ongoing funding sources, such as NCLB.

Q: For those companies that are online databases, which have ongoing subscriptions; where do they fit in?

JH: They can pay for two years with ARRA funds but then will have to use ongoing sources, such as NCLB.

Q: We are talking about short-term solutions. How would you position webapps, which are based on yearly subscriptions?

JH: It gives them a great opportunity to try these products that they might not have before and then will extend their life through the ongoing funding sources, such as NCLB.

Q: You mention subscriptions—don't sell them with these funds. What if these subscriptions last four or five years out? Do you think that time frame can change the perspective of using stimulus funding for subscriptions?

JH: Schools and districts CAN buy subscriptions but only for two years with ARRA funds. Ongoing funding must come from ongoing sources, such as NCLB.

Other Questions

Q: Who, in your view, are the Title I decision makers, and how can we best approach them (email, mail, face-to-face, etc.) given the flood of marketing and sales calls they will be facing?

AW: In larger districts, the decision maker is the Title I program director. In smaller districts, the person with Title I responsibility is the federal programs director and, in some cases, an assistant superintendent for Curriculum.

Think carefully about your program(s) and the ways in which they help support the goals of ARRA and the specific program you are targeting. Craft your marketing message around program benefits and cite any available evidence of effectiveness. If possible, include a reference to a district in the same area or one with similar student demographics that is successfully using the product.

Q: Will MDR have lists of schools who are getting this money and which area they will be funded under?

AW: Yes.

CR: We have recently developed selects to target districts and schools that will receive the stimulus funds:

• Title I Stimulus Grants $1-$69,999
• Title I Stimulus Grants $70,000-$249,999
• Title I Stimulus Grants $250,000+

• IDEA Stimulus Grants $1-$149,999
• IDEA Stimulus Grants $150,000-$499,999
• IDEA Stimulus Grants $500,000+

Q: Email – What is the best way to target those that will be key decision makers of the stimulus spending?

AW: District decision makers are among your best targets—Title I, IDEA, or federal program directors, technology directors, and curriculum specialists. Building principals are another target.

Q: Does MDR have email selects now?

CR: Yes. We have a very robust email product with over $4.5 million email addresses.You can target educators with email addresses with any of our demographic selects. We have recently developed selects to target districts and schools that will receive the stimulus funds:
• Title I Stimulus Grants $1-$69,999
• Title I Stimulus Grants $70,000-$249,999
• Title I Stimulus Grants $250,000+

• IDEA Stimulus Grants $1-$149,999
• IDEA Stimulus Grants $150,000-$499,999
• IDEA Stimulus Grants $500,000+

Q: Is there any additional information that will be put into MarketView, besides what you already mentioned?

DF: We will be constantly watching the stimulus program as a whole and adding grants to MarketView as long as we feel we can track each grant and keep customers up to date. Keep searching using “Stimulus Funds” as part of your search.

Q: You just mentioned using email, yet the example given was that districts are not happy to be contacted via email. Can you address this?

AW: The example was of an email message that was not respectful or well thought out. Teachers and administrators like receiving information by email, but any email campaign needs to have a relevant and targeted message.

Q: Will MDR Mailing List Managers be able to help point out which are the best mailing lists to use?

CR: Yes. Your account executive will be able to help you develop a strategic mail or email plan.

Q: How do we target for these fundings? What kind of message might resonate to get people to act?

AW: District decision makers are among your best targets—Title I, IDEA, or federal program directors, technology directors, and curriculum specialists. Building principals are another target. And remember that while classroom teachers do not have a large role in decision making, they are influencers.

In many ways the messages you are already using to market your products should work. Emphasize how the given product will help the targeted decision maker to do his or her job.

Q: Can you follow up with me with our specific product and service? I am on with Jack Egan, as he invited me. My name is Pete Vargas, and my email is pete@rachelschallenge.com. We have a permanent character education program that is in thousands of school.

Q: Thank you very much. This is very helpful. Do you have group lists that target the professional development decision makers?

AW: While larger districts have personnel dedicated to staff development, much PD also goes on within specific programs, and you need to include those program directors as well.

Q: What contacts, in addition to the superintendent, will be most influential in deciding on how to spend this stimulus money?

AW: Title I directors, IDEA directors, federal program directors, technology directors, and curriculum specialists.

Q: A significant portion of the stimulus funds are directed at the U.S. Department of Labor. These include funding for education and training services. Does MDR plan to host a meeting that addresses this market opportunity?

CR: We do not currently have a webinar to address this specific topic. As the Department of Labor makes these funds available to districts in the form of funding grants, we will add them as part of our MarketView School Funding Services product and then report on them through the life cycle of the grant.

Our expert lineup included:

Jenny House	Anne Wujcik
President RedRock Reports	Education Research Analyst MDR

Read the speakers' biographies

Additional Contributors:

Chuck Romans	Darek Fairfield
Product Development Leader MDR	Product Development Manager MDR