Department of Education accelerates $11.37 billion stimulus schedule

The second round of stimulus funding for Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, totaling $11.37 billion in all, will be made available to states by Sept. 1, about a month earlier than originally determined--and the quicker those dollars reach schools, the more jobs and educational technology programs might be saved. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the accelerated timeline on Aug. 3, saying the earlier release of funds will "help states and districts expedite stimulus spending." The first half of Title I, IDEA, and VR stimulus funding was made available to states beginning April 1. Education stakeholders said Duncan's announcement might be an attempt to urge states and school systems to use their stimulus funding quicker, because states have been slow to spend so far.