Building a Strong, Competitive 21st Century Economy
School buildings across the country are literally crumbling. Recent studies estimate that hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to bring schools into good condition, and that 75 percent of schools are in various stages of disrepair. Like other infrastructure projects, modernizing schools will create new, construction jobs while ensuring that students can learn and teachers can teach in safe, healthy, technologically up-to-date, and energy-efficient learning environments.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will put Americans back to work quickly while bringing our schools and colleges into the 21st century. The legislation will:
School buildings across the country are literally crumbling. Recent studies estimate that hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to bring schools into good condition, and that 75 percent of schools are in various stages of disrepair. Like other infrastructure projects, modernizing schools will create new, construction jobs while ensuring that students can learn and teachers can teach in safe, healthy, technologically up-to-date, and energy-efficient learning environments.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will put Americans back to work quickly while bringing our schools and colleges into the 21st century. The legislation will:
Create new jobs in construction and other industries
Update schools with 21st century technology
Create green, modern, state-of-the-art classrooms and schools
- Provides funds to repair and modernize existing public school and higher education facilities, as part of the $53.6 billion state stabilization fund. School districts will receive these funds through state and federal education formulas. Funds could be used to:
- Improve the teaching and learning climate;
- Make schools energy efficient, which could save taxpayers billions in energy costs;
- Replace light systems and security doors;
- Repair heating and ventilation systems;
- Bring facilities into compliance with fire, health, and safety codes;
- Make necessary modifications to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
- Eliminate exposure to mold, asbestos, mildew and lead-based paint.
Update schools with 21st century technology
- Provide $650 million for Enhancing Education Through Technology (EdTech) – a program which provides grants to schools to increase access to educational technology and further integrate technology into the classroom.
Create green, modern, state-of-the-art classrooms and schools
- Encourages that funds be used to support projects that meet green standards, including projects such as installing green roofs and installing renewable energy generation and heating systems.
It is very unfortunate that this bill seems to use the standard federal funding formula for Title I to disburse construction funds. Looking at the list for my state, many districts because of their free & reduced lunch population are receiving significant dollars even if they have completely renovated or new buildings. Why does this bill not provide the states with the money to distribute based on the districts with the most substantial construction needs? I understand why the Title I and IDEA increases use the formula. That absolutely makes sense. Construction monies are a totally different monster. Just because a district has a high population of Title I does not mean that they need construction dollars. Vice-versa, just because a district has a low population of Title I does not mean that they do not need construction dollars. I believe that the Directors of Facilities for each state would be more qualified to distribute those dollars to meet the facility priorities of that state. Overall, very pleased that this bill is happening, but I cannot be more disappointed in the distribution of construction dollars. It does not look like any thought was put behind this at all. It was just the easiest answer, but definitely, not the correct one!