Special Features and Updates
Direction on Defining Persistently Low-Achieving Schools Elusive
Washington, February 19 — More than a month after states submitted their definitions of persistently low-achieving schools (PLAS), the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has yet to approve a single state’s definition, imperiling the department’s ambitious timeline for awarding and implementing millions of dollars in School Improvement Grants (SIG).
Analyzing ARRA: Did States Cut Education Too Much?
Washington, Feb. 10 — As American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars continue to dry up, experts are crunching the numbers to see how a multi-billion-dollar federal stabilization fund is effecting state education spending.
Senate, White House Fail to Follow House Lead on Jobs Bill
Washington, Feb. 5 — The Senate and the White House do not appear inclined to follow the House lead on a jobs package to shore up state and local government budgets — including education spending — preferring instead to rely on a mix of tax credits and targeted initiatives to spark hiring and investment as the 2009 stimulus package winds down.
Funds Aim to Spark Changes in School Leadership
Grants are available to recruit and train principals under a new $11 million program announced by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tool Released to Help States and LEAs Implement SIG Models
Washington, Feb. 1 — States and local school districts now have a handy tool to help them implement the revamped $3.5 billion Title I School Improvement Grant (SIG) program.
