Rep. Courtney Announces Release Of ARRA Education Funding And Guidelines For State, Schools' Use Of Aid

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney, Connecticut's only Representative on the House Education and Labor Committee, announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has released $44 billion of its share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 in the first installment of funding to the states and local school districts. The Department also released much sought-after guidance to allow the State of Connecticut and school district superintendents to interpret how this crucial funding can be used by local school districts to support their educational goals, prevent teacher layoffs and modernize their schools.

Nationwide, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $13 billion in Title I funds, which helps low-income students, and $13.5 billion in IDEA funds, which helps students with disabilities. This is the first of two installments of direct funding for Title I and IDEA programs that school districts will receive under ARRA; the second installment of funds will be released to districts in the fall of this year.

"This news arrives at a very precarious time for our communities as the threat of teacher and support staff layoffs loom throughout the region because of the downturn in the economy," stated Courtney. "With its own budget shortfall, the State of Connecticut is unable to provide the necessary assistance to keep our schools functioning as we have come to expect, which makes this announcement a much needed shot in the arm for the state and for our local school districts," Courtney added.

Congressman Courtney hosted numerous discussions with superintendents throughout the Second Congressional District. The school officials expressed their desire to receive guidance for the use of these funds as soon as possible, which Congressman Courtney personally relayed to the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and the Secretary of Education.

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