Economic Recovery and Reinvestment

Title I School Improvement Grants, Section 1003(g)
Funds for Title I Schools Identified for Improvement (SIFI)

Program Description:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will provide discretionary grants to Wisconsin public school districts with Title I schools identified for improvement (SIFIs) as identified by Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE) results under Title I, Section 1003(g).

The purpose of the this grant program is to provide public school districts with additional funds and resources to help them develop and improve efforts to support their eligible Title I schools. Implicit in these grants is the recognition that all Wisconsin districts have existing resources and programs that support the student achievement of its neediest school(s). These grants are intended to supplement existing district efforts and strengthen district support to SIFIs. Each Title I SIFI is eligible for no less than $50,000 and no more than $500,000; funding is to be used for school improvement activities such as:

• Customized technical assistance and/or professional development;
• Research-based strategies to improve instruction;
• Enhanced capacity of school support team members and other technical assistance providers; and
• Other strategies as appropriate for which data indicate the strategy is likely to result in improved teaching and learning.

Funding:
It is projected that Wisconsin will receive $42 million from ARRA. Funds will be available to Title I SIFIs in the winter of 2010.

Under current legislation, DPI may use discretion on award amounts, as long as awards fall within statutory limits (no less than $50,000 and no more than $500,000 per eligible school). Funding priority must be given to the lowest achieving schools that demonstrate greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to ensuring proper use of funds. The grant is renewable for two additional one year periods if the schools are meeting school improvement goals.

Funds are awarded to districts with Title I SIFI and to non-district charter schools that are Title I SIFI. In 2008-09, this included funding to Milwaukee Public Schools ($6.1 million) and two non-district charter schools, the Academy of Learning and Leadership ($50,000) and the Milwaukee Academy of Science ($50,000). Additional districts/schools may be eligible for funds for the 2009-10 school year.

Four principles guide the distribution and use of ARRA funds:

1. Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs.
2. Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform.
• Making progress toward rigorous college- and career-ready standards and high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities;
• Establishing pre-K to college and career data systems that track progress and foster continuous improvement;
• Making improvements in teacher effectiveness and in the equitable distribution of qualified teachers for all students, particularly students who are most in need;
• Providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-performing schools.
3. Ensure transparency, reporting and accountability.
4. Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff.”

Application process:
DPI awaits guidance from the U.S. Department of Education to determine the application content and deadline.

Timeline:
Funds will be available in the winter of 2010.

Guidance:
FAQs

Contacts:

State Contacts:	Abby Potter, Education Consultant Title I & School Support Team Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (608) 267-7338
	Beth McClure, Education Consultant Title I & School Support Team Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (608) 261-6324
	Shelly Babler, Grants Specialist Title I & School Support Team Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (608) 267-1067
Federal Contact:	Zollie Stevenson Jr., Ph.D., Director Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs (Title I, Parts A and D, Title III State Formula Grants and McKinney-Vento Homeless Program) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education United States Department of Education (202) 260-1824

Links and Resources:

• DPI Supplemental Grants
• DPI Recovery and Reinvestment Portal
• Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment
• Recovery.gov

Reporting:
DPI awaits ARRA guidance to determine reporting requirements.

For questions about this information, contact Shelly A. Babler (608) 267-1067

Last updated on 8/4/2009 11:46:11 AM