San Diego County school districts are submitting the paperwork needed to secure their fair share of federal economic stimulus money for education. California got more than three billion dollars in federal aid late last week. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
California is the first state to get the money. The funding could save thousands of teaching jobs and protect student programs.
County school administrators have been busy since Friday collecting data.
Andrea Ball is with the State Department of Education. Her office has been flooded with questions as districts access a new online application.
“Some people have questions about their pins and passwords. They also, obviously, have questions about how much they will get, and when they will get it,” Ball said. “We’re trying to answer and help each district on a one-by-one basis.”
To secure the funding, Ball says, school districts must promise to deliver results when it comes things like improving teacher quality, setting rigorous standards and establishing performance tracking systems. The federal aid is expected to trickle into school districts by mid-May.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
