AIR Helps Advance the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides $100 billion for education in the United States, creating an opportunity for the nation to save hundreds of jobs, support states and schools, and advance education improvements that will help students succeed in a 21st century global world. Enacted to stimulate the United States economy and invest in education (and other public services) to ensure the nation’s long-term prosperity, ARRA has funding that will be distributed to states and districts through a variety of competitive and other grant programs.

AIR is committed to providing the most effective ideas and approaches to enhancing the education process for the nation’s students and guaranteeing that all students succeed. We are available to assist states in their efforts to improve education for all their students under ARRA, and committed to applying our expertise in educational programs to helping all students succeed.
 

Race to the Top with AIR

The Race to the Top Fund offers states an unprecedented, one-time opportunity to transform education for students through reforms in standards and assessment, the use of data, teacher preparation and evaluation, and turning around low-performing schools. States are asked to advance improvements around four core areas:

  • Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
  • Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
  • Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
  • Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
     

AIR Supports Investing in Innovation

The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) is designed to provide the opportunity for districts and nonprofit organizations to develop and validate evidence-based innovative programs, practices, and strategies in areas related to ARRA funding priorities. These opportunities, such as implementing high-quality standards and assessments, supporting effective teachers and leaders, improving the use of data, and turning around low-performing schools, will help close achievement gaps and support successful outcomes for all students. The i3 application process requires local education agencies (LEAs) and partner organizations to submit detailed proposals that demonstrate high-quality project and implementation plans.