The $4.1 million of REAP funding awarded to Maine is distributed under two programs: Under REAP''s Small and Rural Schools Achievement program, 118 districts in Maine will receive awards totaling nearly $1.9 million in additional federal funding, with average awards of $16,000 and in some cases, as high as $34,000. In addition, under REAP''s Rural and Low Income Schools program, the State of Maine has received $2.2 million to be distributed in subgrants to 45 additional rural and low income districts in Maine that are not eligible under the Small and Rural Schools Achievement program.
"The Rural Education Achievement Program was designed to level the playing field for small and high poverty rural school systems and make sure all students in Maine have access to the same high quality education," said Senator Collins. "This funding will give rural school systems more flexibility to meet their unique local needs. It also allows rural districts to combine some grants that are awarded under specific categories, and use that total sum to address the school district's highest priorities."
The Rural Education Achievement Program was designed to help school systems that receive less federal formula funding and are frequently at a disadvantage when applying for competitive grants. By allowing small and rural school districts to combine funds, as well as providing additional funds based on enrollment, these districts are finally achieving the critical mass of funding required to undertake significant reform.
A long time champion for rural schools, Senator Collins recently asked the GAO to study the unique implementation challenges facing rural schools under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The report, released in September, concluded that REAP funding was crucial to rural districts and their ability to implement changes under the statute.
"While additional assistance is still needed for rural schools, I was extremely pleased to see the GAO report confirm the importance of REAP in implementing various initiatives to meet the statute''s goals," Senator Collins said.
Since enactment of REAP, Senator Collins has led the fight to secure funding for the program through the appropriations process, and has successfully increased federal funding for REAP each year. This is year's allotment is an increase from last year when Maine''s small and rural school districts received $3.6 million in REAP funding.
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