Congressman Cohen Announces More Than $100 Million for 9th District Schools

Nationwide, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $13 billion in Title I funds, which helps low-income students, and $13.5 billion in IDEA funds, which helps students with disabilities. This is the first of two installments of direct funding for Title I and IDEA programs that for school districts will receive under President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; the second installment of funds will be released to districts in the fall of this year.

“This funding will create jobs, help our students and have a lasting impact on education in our community,” said Congressman Cohen. “I’m happy that these funds are going directly to MCS, bypassing the bureaucracy in Washington and Nashville. This is a watershed moment for Memphis schools, and I am proud that this Congress and President Obama have made education such a high priority. Passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was the right thing to do for our country, and the right thing for Memphis.”

In addition to the Title I and IDEA investments, the economic recovery plan also created a state stabilization fund to help stabilize state and local budgets and restore harmful cuts to education.

IDEA is the major federal program that provides funding for special education and related services to students with disabilities. The Title I program provides funds to low-income school districts that are in even greater need during the economic downturn. The funds appropriated through the Recovery Plan are distributed through the previously defined IDEA and Title I formulas.

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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265