WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Wednesday told states how he wants them to spend $3.5 billion in money from the federal School Improvement Fund.
The fund is for struggling schools, but states have had wide discretion in how they spend it. The money is from the economic stimulus and the fund's regular budget.
Under the new rules, states are to award the money to districts that take one of these approaches:
Close and reopen failing schools with new teachers and principals.
m Close and reopen failing schools under management of a charter-school company or similar group.
Close failing schools and send students to high-achieving schools in the same district.
Replace a failing school's principal and overhaul its operations.
Front Section, Pages 7 on 08/27/2009