Building a Strong, Competitive 21st Century Economy
States now face a $91 billion shortfall in education funding – putting hundreds of thousands of jobs and the promise of a good education in jeopardy. Economists and scientists agree that strategic, targeted investments in education are needed to create jobs, give America’s children the skills they need to compete globally – and to put our economy back on the road to recovery.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides the single largest investment in federal education spending ever to help build the world class education system our economy needs and our children deserve. The plan will:
States now face a $91 billion shortfall in education funding – putting hundreds of thousands of jobs and the promise of a good education in jeopardy. Economists and scientists agree that strategic, targeted investments in education are needed to create jobs, give America’s children the skills they need to compete globally – and to put our economy back on the road to recovery.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides the single largest investment in federal education spending ever to help build the world class education system our economy needs and our children deserve. The plan will:
Prevent teacher layoffs and restore state cuts to education
Strengthen education resources for students in need
Make critical investments in early education for an additional 110,000 children
Support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…
“We know that making the investment in our children’s education is crucial to ensure the future health of our economy and our country. We know that a high-quality education increases future earnings, strengthens civic bonds, and is essential to prepare a well-trained workforce for a global economy. The resources provided in this package will go a long way towards ensuring that the children we serve at Citizen Schools – and so many more children across our nation – have much needed educational opportunities.”
-- Erin Schwartz, President and CEO, Citizen Schools
“We are very pleased that the proposed package includes the investments in education, health care, and other areas necessary to jump-start the economy, create jobs, and help struggling families and communities.”
-- Dennis van Roekel, President, National Education Association
- Creates a $79 billion state stabilization fund to help prevent education-related layoffs and restore harmful cuts to education funding, including $39 billion for local school districts and public colleges and universities.
- Includes $15 billion for bonus grants to states for making progress in key areas: placing excellent teachers in high-need schools, making common-sense improvements to assessments, and creating data systems that help schools track progress over time.
- States must also meet a maintenance-of-effort requirement to show they’re doing their part to fund education.
Strengthen education resources for students in need
- Provides $13 billion for Title I grants for high poverty schools and
- Invests $13.6 billion in services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Make critical investments in early education for an additional 110,000 children
- Provides $2.1 billion for Head Start, and Early Head Start, which provides comprehensive development services for low-income preschool children, infants and toddlers. This will expand early education opportunities for an additional 110,000 children.
- Studies have shown that Head Start is one of the best ways to improve child well-being, increase the educational achievement and future productivity of children, and reduce crime. Studies also show that $1 invested in early education yields from $1.25 to $17 in returns.
Support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…
“We know that making the investment in our children’s education is crucial to ensure the future health of our economy and our country. We know that a high-quality education increases future earnings, strengthens civic bonds, and is essential to prepare a well-trained workforce for a global economy. The resources provided in this package will go a long way towards ensuring that the children we serve at Citizen Schools – and so many more children across our nation – have much needed educational opportunities.”
-- Erin Schwartz, President and CEO, Citizen Schools
“We are very pleased that the proposed package includes the investments in education, health care, and other areas necessary to jump-start the economy, create jobs, and help struggling families and communities.”
-- Dennis van Roekel, President, National Education Association
