United States Department of Education
April 1, 2009
School leaders and policy wonks alike will want to keep this handy reference on their desks, as the Department of Education has finally published specific, reader-friendly guidance as to how the stimulus funds may be used and, importantly, how not to run afoul of Departmental regulations and audits. Though overdue, this advice is most welcome and generally clarifying. For example, in order to use Title I dollars for the purchase of textbooks, districts must simply "Adhere to guidance provided in Federal Register 3.783.467, subsections 3(a), 4(z), and Pi, which enumerate the requirements of Publications 27-B through 29-F, parts 7-12, in relation to their applicability to Publications 49-XY and 2. All textbooks conforming to those definitions, stipulations, and covenants, excepting textbooks to be used in classes meeting the definitions of Publication 7, and those previously approved by the Department as categorical exceptions to Regulation 12-D, shall be approved for purchase by the district. To distribute purchased textbooks to classrooms, districts should contact the office of the Associate Deputy Undersecretary for Associated District Assistance for assistance." There are hundreds more such useful instructions, covering both significant expenditures like paper supplies and thumbtacks as well as minutiae like teacher pay and facilities. Much less helpful, however, is the Department's guidance for charter school funds which reads, in full, "Spend it fast, while we still like charter schools." To get your copy, visit here, and click on the fourth tab in the third column from the right, on the second page below the fifth subhead. Since calling the Department will give you nothing but a busy signal, go here to find the answers to any remaining questions.