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Several Provisions in the Senate Economic Stimulus Bill Differ from the House Bill

January 30, 2009—Now that the House has passed H.R 1, The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, the Senate is set to debate its version (S. 1). While both economic stimulus bills are similar in structure, categories of preK-12 spending, and overall proposed levels of funding (over $141 billion), there are some differences between the two in the details.

For example, in the Senate bill any school district that receives Title I funds under the economic stimulus must use up to 15 percent of its allocation for early childhood education. The House has no such requirement.

Next, for IDEA Special Education Parts B and C, the Senate funds total $13.5 billion, compared to $13.6 billion in the House. Under the Senate bill the dollars "remain available through September 30, 2010," with $13 billion for services to children with disabilities aged 3-21 years. Under the House bill $6 billion is available on July 1, 2009, and $7 billion is available on July 1, 2010, for Section 611. The remainders ($500 million/Senate; $600 million/House) are for IDEA Part C.

Similarly, there are differences regarding distribution methods for school construction monies. In the Senate bill there is $16 billion for school facilities modernization that includes repair, renovation, and construction of public schools, including early learning facilities. The purpose is to reduce the backlog of needed school infrastructure improvements, to promote greater energy efficiency, and to provide greater access to information technology for students. Funds will be apportioned to states on the basis of their Title I allocation for fiscal year 2008. The 100 local school districts with the poorest children will receive their facilities funds based upon their Title I allocation determined by the Title I formula. Priority must be given for "green" projects.

The remainder of the funding will be sent to states, which will award the funds on a competitive basis using a combination of criteria that include:

• percentage of poor children
• need for renovation, repair, and public school building construction, including early learning facilities
• repair, replacement, installation of roofs, windows, heating, ventilation or air condition systems
• meeting fire/safety codes
• reducing energy consumption
• compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act
• improving environmental conditions of school sites, including removal of asbestos, reducing exposure to mold, mildew, lead-based paint
• upgrading or installing educational technology infrastructure
• broadening use of school buildings by the community

In the House bill $14 billion is provided for school facilities modernization, renovation, and repair to be allocated to states on the basis of their ESEA Title I allocation for FY 2008. Charter schools are eligible to receive these funds. The dollars may be used for:

• health and safety repairs
• facility modification to provide access for students with disabilities
• educational technology infrastructure, upgrades
• facilities projects to improve energy efficiency

The Senate could consider its economic stimlus bill as early as Monday, Feb. 2.

More Information

"Economic Stimulus Package Passes House--Includes Over $141 Billion for Education"
AEP

H.R. 1: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

S. 1: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

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