Governor Chet Culver announced today the U.S. Department of Education has approved Iowa's application for the first $316 million in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds available for public education through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). "Even in a time of national economic challenges, we must always keep our commitment to students, families, and teachers," said Governor Chet Culver. "As a former teacher, I believe investment in schools is an investment in our state's future. These Recovery Act funds will help us keep our promise to students, and will help put Iowa in a position to come out of this economic situation stronger than before."

The amount represents 67 percent of the total State Fiscal Stabilization Funds available to Iowa. The state will be eligible to apply for another $156 million this fall. The stabilization funds are allocated through the fiscal year 2009-2010 state budget, which was approved by the Iowa legislature. School districts will receive the money through the established state aid payment distribution method beginning this month.

The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund program is new, one-time funds the USDE is awarding to Governors and states to help stabilize state and local budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in education and other essential services.

In exchange for this funding, Iowa and its school districts will continue their work to advance essential education reform in four areas. These include:

1. Making improvements in teacher effectiveness and in the equitable distribution of qualified teachers for all students, particularly students who are most in need;

2. Establishing pre-K-to-college-and-career data systems that track progress and foster continuous improvement;

3. Making progress toward 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

4. Providing targeted, intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-performing schools.

"Iowa is already making progress on these areas of reform, from enhancing the statewide education data system to helping school districts implement the Iowa Core Curriculum's rigorous expectations for all students," said Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey. "These funds will allow Iowa to continue to help teachers be even more effective in the classroom and help all Iowa students achieve success after high school."

To learn more about the Recovery Act, visit www.recovery.gov or www.iowa.gov/recovery. For district specific allocations, please visit the Iowa Department of Education's ARRA Webpage.