School districts across the country have claimed less than half the federal stimulus money allocated for special education as the program reaches its midpoint, amid concerns about how to use the one-time cash infusion.
So far, just 39 percent of the $11.3 billion in federal stimulus dollars tagged for the benefit of students with disabilities has been scooped up by school districts, a scenario that’s surprising disability advocates.
While some say slow allocation of funds could merely be a product of the process working itself out, some districts are apparently wary of tapping funds that will expire after just one year. Moreover, school officials say they have also struggled to understand exactly what the special education funding can and can’t be used for.
Despite the slow start, federal officials say they expect all of the allocated money will eventually be spent and that the funds will help save valuable teacher jobs, reports The Denver Post. To read more click here.
