The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) program provides education formula grants to states to stabilize state and local budgets and minimize reductions in education and other essential services. This funding is provided contingent upon a commitment to advance education reform in four key areas:

• Achieving equity in teacher distribution
• Improving collection and use of data
• Supporting struggling schools

Altogether, Washington state is expected to receive $719 million for restoring state K-12 education funding. The funding is distributed in two phases. This past year, approximately 67%, or $482 million, has been awarded to local Washington school districts in SFSF Phase I to prevent the need for reductions in local programs and staffing. The Phase 2 amount, expected to be received and  distributed this spring, is estimated at $237 million.

As part of its application for SFSF Phase II funding, states must demonstrate the ability to meet specific data and information requirements regarding the above four education reform areas. These data requirements are captured in a set of indicators and descriptors related to each of the four areas.

The Washington State Plan for Data Collection and Public Reporting has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. Outlined below are the four ARRA education reform areas, the indicators and descriptors required by the ARRA in each, and where the required information may be found. If the information is not currently available, this will be reflected with a note in the table.

Reform Area A - Achieving Equity in Teacher Distribution

Reform Area B - Improving Collection and Use of Data

Reform Area C - Raising Standards and Assessments

Reform Area D - Supporting Struggling Schools