Report centers on how governors can maximize ARRA funds for education

WASHINGTON — The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy (Hunt Institute), has released, Perfecting the Formula: Effective Strategies = Educational Success, a summary of the 2009 Governors Education Symposium, which brought together teams of governors, legislators and state education commissioners from around the country.

The report centers on how governors can maximize the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to improve education in their states. Specific areas of focus include the four assurances of ARRA: high-quality standards and assessment; comprehensive data systems; effective teachers and leaders; and support for turnaround schools.

"In the midst of a weak economy and struggling state budgets, governors continue to focus on smart education policies that can lead to sustained economic success in the long run,” said NGA Center Director John Thomasian. "This report captures the discussion from this year’s Governors Education Symposium and provides effective strategies for states to achieve good educational outcomes.”

The symposium took place June 14-16 in Cary, North Carolina. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined governors and state teams from 21 states to discuss the importance of quality education to states’ economic success. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt served as co-chairs, and the event was co-hosted by the NGA Center and the Hunt Institute.