Michigan After School Partnership

Stimulus Guidelines Offer Opportunities for After-school

NEW

The National Summer Learning Association created a policy brief that highlights a funding blueprint for states and districts for use of ARRA, Summer Improvement and Summer Learning.

The Department of Education posted guidelines on Uses of Funds for Title I and IDEA.
Download their Title I Part A Guidance and IDEA Part B Guidance
Included in Title I, Part A is language on how funds can be used to support extended learning time in Title I schools. There is also a PowerPoint presentation that can be downloaded with more information.

On Monday, July 27, Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller hosted a webinar for governors, Chief State School Officers, state legislators, mayors, superintendents, school board members, education association leaders, and other stakeholders, outlining more than $9 billion in new initiatives for states and school districts, including the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" Fund.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/events/arra-webinar.html. (Available: webcast, transcript, and PowerPoint presentation.)

The second Education Stakeholders Forum, held August 4, provided detailed information regarding Race to the Top Fund, Investing in Innovation Fund, and Part II of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Here is information from the forum.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/events/forum.html.  (Available: video, transcript, and PowerPoint presentation.)

From the Afterschool Alliance:

Newly issued government guidance for state and local use of federal stimulus dollars offers new opportunities for afterschool programs to secure much needed funding. In particular, the Department of Education's guidance on Title I funding indicates that school districts may apply for waivers to Supplemental Education Services requirements, allowing school systems greater flexibility in supporting afterschool programs with stimulus dollars.

The guidance, issued by the Department of Education on March 6, describes the process by which stimulus dollars will be divided among the states, how states secure their share of the funding, and the types of expenditures suitable for stimulus funds. The guidance specifically cites afterschool programs as one of several possible programs eligible for the $13 billion appropriated for Title I funding. Read more from the Afterschool Alliance.

How Schools Can Use Title I and IDEA Funds:

After-school and summer programs provide valuable, diverse learning experiences. Working together we can improve the odds that Michigan students have to complete graduation. Keeping students engaged, connected and supported, school systems can use Title I and IDEA funds to expand and improve after-school opportunities in the following ways:

• Support cross-training and professional development for teachers and after-school providers to align classroom content and out-of-school time programming. When in-school and out-of-school educators work together, it creates a seamless learning day, and better prepares students to meet academic goals.
• Invest in technology for after-school and summer programs to assist them in engaging students. After-school programs are often able to provide students with experiential learning and innovative projects that connect kids to education in different ways than traditional school.
• Support summer learning, with a goal of stemming the dropout crisis in Michigan. A disconnect between school and the "real world" is often cited as a cause of student dropout. Innovative summer learning programs can prevent students from disengaging from education. Programs that incorporate apprenticeships, service learning, or opportunities to earn money.

Tapping Economic Recovery Dollars

Supporting the Local Afterschool Programs Kids & Families Rely On

Get Resources Now:

Michigan Department of Education
Afterschool Alliance
National Center for Summer Learning
U.S. Department of Education
National School Boards Association