Will Federal Innovation Funds Lead to Smarter Schools?

There is an interesting article in Education Week today that poses an interesting question regarding the role that the current fiscal crisis might have in spurring innovation in the schools. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) targets $5 billion new and innovative practices in schools. But will school reformers seek new practices or simply resort to extending past practice in terms of pace or content. It reminds me of the old adage "If you don't like what you are getting, change what you are doing." Innovation infers a shift in action, driven by a change in thinking. Applying new $ to existing ideas seems to be off the mark. It will be interesting to watch how the funding rolls out into the field.