Students with disabilities in Rutherford County and across Tennessee will soon benefit from the first round of federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Rutherford County schools will receive $4.2 million, and preschool programs will see $133,000 through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Democrats voted for these stimulus funds, tax credits and tax cuts for 95% of working families in February as an emergency backstop to a recession caused by 8 years of failed economic policy. Republicans opposed providing relief to the American people. Below is an excerpt from Gov. Bredesen’s release.
“As we increase our curriculum and standards, the benefit of having increased funding for Tennessee students with disabilities will be vital to local education agencies, schools, teachers and, most importantly, the students,” Governor Phil Bredesen said. “These additional dollars in the classroom will be a tremendous boost to our education system.”
The ARRA dollars represents significant funding for programs that help ensure children with disabilities, including children age 3-5, are provided services that meet their needs. Possible uses of these funds could include professional training for special education teachers, data collection to improve teaching and learning, and improving overall student achievement.
