From the GAO report, States Could Provide More Information on Education Programs to Enhance the Public’s Understanding of Fund Use, released July, 2010, the following information was collected via a GAO survey between March and April 2010 and through follow-up communications:
Hunterdon Central Regional High School
Flemington, NJ 08822
Award amount: $625,920
Hunterdon Central Regional High School reported that it used its Recovery Act IDEA award to improve the district’s self-contained programs in life skills education and the behavioral disabilities program and to improve core content instruction in special education academic settings. These funds supported approximately 500 students with special needs in the district’s single school. Specifically, the funds were used to hire consultants to train staff about behavioral interventions in the classroom and on using new computer-assisted materials that remediate writing, reading, and mathematics weaknesses. New materials were purchased to improve the depth of the curriculum offered in special education classrooms and that focus on the remediation of writing, reading, and math skills. In addition, personal computing devices will be purchased for special education students to assist with coursework completion. As a result of these funds, officials reported that the district was able to maintain programs for students with multiple disabilities and behaviorally disabled students. They also said that they anticipate improved test results on standardized state testing. They indicated that their Recovery Act IDEA award activities were 50 percent or more completed.
Sea Girt Borough Public Schools
Sea Girt, NJ 08750
Award amount: $43,835
Sea Girt Borough Public Schools reported that it used its Recovery Act IDEA award to provide all special education teachers with a full range of multisensory approaches to improve the teaching of reading. It also offset the unbudgeted cost due to specific individualized education program (IEP) demands. These funds supported approximately 10 to15 percent of the single school district’s 180 students. Specifically, the funds were used to provide professional development (i.e., Wilson Training and instructional materials) and make capital improvement to the classroom through installation of infrared sound field systems. As a result of these IDEA funds, officials reported that the district was able to increase classified students’ ability to perform on all academic assessments (i.e., greater reading proficiency) and continue with regular established programs to the benefit of all students. Officials indicated that their Recovery Act IDEA award activities were more than 50 percent completed.
Tags: ARRA, IDEA, New Jersey, Recovery Act, special education, Stimulus