Education's Stimulus Package: A Global Trend

In his first address to Congress on Feb. 24, President Barack Obama said that by 2020, America will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. He stated that "dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country."

One week prior to this speech, Obama signed the much-debated $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. This will send $106 billion to:

• local school districts, public colleges and universities;
• disadvantaged students through Title I;
• disabled children through IDEA;
• programs for job training;
• STEM education; and
• early childhood grants and programs.

This influx of education funding has been a hot topic for U.S. teachers and administrators, but the United States isn't the only country that's stimulating its education funding:

• Australia is pumping $9.5 billion into education.
• France is giving $1.7 billion to refurbish higher education institutions, prisons, monuments and courts.
• Singapore is providing $4.4 billion for infrastructure, health and educational improvements.

Although these are just a few examples, countries all over the world have implemented stimulus packages within the last year to improve their economies. Countries include, but are not limited to: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, Spain and Thailand.

Clearly, the world is seeing a trend in an increasing number of economic stimulus packages. The end of this decade may be defined by the importance of fiscal relief during a global financial crisis.

Related stories:

• VIDEO: Stimulus Package Bolsters Education
• Education's Stimulus Package: Resources
• Stimulus Package Update: Education Department Receives $44.6 Billion