Michigan Schools to Receive $369 Million in Recovery Act Funding for At-Risk Students

May 1, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan school districts will receive $369 million in Title I funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment and Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Recovery Act funding for Title 1 Part A will allow Michigan school districts with a high percentage of children from low-income families to provide additional academic support for at-risk children. Title 1 Part D funds will provide educational support to students in state agencies and local institutions for neglected or delinquent children.

"Michigan's economic future is inextricably linked to how well we educate all of our children," said Granholm. "These Recovery Act dollars will be invaluable to educators as they work to help at-risk students at schools throughout Michigan."

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Title I is the largest federal-aid program in K-12 education with more than $14 billion awarded annually through formula and discretionary grants to improve the academic achievement of high-risk students. Since 1965, the Title I program has served over 150 million children in need of extra academic support in reading, writing, and math.

Michigan's Title 1 school districts will concentrate their use of Recovery Act funds on short-term investments with the potential for long-term benefits rather than making ongoing commitments that they might not be able to sustain when Recovery Act funds are no longer available.

Some examples of ways Michigan school districts may use Recovery Act funds include:

- identifying and establishing teacher training and development opportunities;
- strengthening and expanding early childhood education;
- providing enhanced training for mathematics and science requirements;
- establishing or expanding extended-learning opportunities for eligible students.

Michigan school districts will receive an additional $11.6 million in Recovery Act funds for Title II Part D grants to enhance education through technology, pending approval by the Michigan Legislature.

For a complete breakdown of Michigan Title 1 and Title II funding by school districts, go to: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_30334-127227--,00.html

Source: Michigan Governor