Monday, February 16, 2009
One of the biggest winners in the new stimulus package is the field of education. To begin with, in the bill’s section on aid to state and local government, at least $43.8 billion is allocated to reverse cutbacks and layoffs that have been caused by strained state and local budgets. The funds may be used for construction and renovation, but only for buildings in which children are actually being taught—stadiums, stand-alone administration buildings and vehicles are not allowed.
Pell grants are currently being given to six million students from lower-income families to allow them to attend universities and colleges. With tuitions on the rise and laid-off workers wanting to return to school, the Pell program was in serious trouble. The stimulus bill injects $5.8 billion into the popular program.
Another $12.2 billion is going to the Office of Special Education Programs to pass on as grants to states, universities and non-profit organizations to support programs that help disabled children.
Ten billion dollars will go to grants to states and local districts to fund elementary and secondary education in low-income areas. Another $3 billion is allocated for school improvement grants to the same low-income neighborhoods and communities, and $2.1 billion with go the Head Start and Early Head Start (birth to three years old)..
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