The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides students, families, and educators with the exciting and unprecedented opportunity to invest in the future of the Commonwealth by addressing some of the most pressing challenges in our public education system. In addition, the ARRA provides important support to help states restore fiscal shortfalls that have come about due to the nation's economic crisis. While stimulus funds will not solve all of our problems, they will allow us both to restore support for early education, K-12, and higher education and to pursue innovative approaches to improving our public schools and institutions of higher education. Through a combination of formula-based funds, funds to support construction and modernization of facilities, funding for research, and multiple competitive grants for which Massachusetts is well-equipped to pursue, we will continue to make progress on Governor Patrick's robust education agenda that is aimed at ensuring that all students will be prepared to reach their full potential. Indeed, our priorities align with the following essential areas of reform identified by President Obama and Secretary Duncan:

  • Increasing teacher effectiveness and addressing inequities in the distribution of highly qualified teachers;
  • Establishing and using a pre-K-through-college-and-career data system to track progress and foster continuous improvement;
  • Making progress towards rigorous college- and career-ready standards and high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all students, including limited English proficient students and students with disabilities; and
  • Providing targeted, intensive support and effective interventions to turn around schools identified for corrective action and restructuring.

On this site you will find information about the education provisions in the ARRA, including the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, additional funding for Title I, IDEA, Head Start, and other formula-based allocations, and competitive grant opportunities. In addition, you will find guidance provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education for the use of funds, as well as the planned uses for Massachusetts' share of the federal funding. I hope you find this site helpful in enhancing your knowledge about the ARRA; the Executive Office of Education is committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information available, so please check back regularly for additional information. Thank you for your interest in our work on behalf of all students and families in the Commonwealth.