Funding Bill Shortchanges Education

Funding Bill Shortchanges Education

In January 2002, the President signed into law the "No Child Left Behind Act." This bipartisan legislation was designed to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn and sought to raise student achievement levels through a combination of higher standards, stronger accountability, improved teacher quality, and increased resources. The bill was signed with a great deal of fanfare and inspired high hopes for the future of America's students and schools.

Unfortunately, No Child Left Behind education programs have never received the federal funding envisioned by the original legislation. The education appropriations bill that is being considered by Congress for fiscal year 2007 would set funding for the No Child Left Behind Act at $16.4 billion below the levels promised by the Act. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law, these education programs have been underfunded by $56.8 billion.

America's schools today face record student enrollments, greater accountability for student achievement, and continuing fiscal pressures. During the 2007 school year, all public schools will be held accountable for No Child Left Behind mandates, including: reading and math testing in grades 3 through 8; science testing at least once in each of three grade spans; assessing all students for their ability to read and speak English; ensuring "highly qualified" teachers for core academic subjects; and continued progress toward reaching academic proficiency for all students by 2014. But even as we ask our schools to do more, federal help is declining.

When the No Child Left Behind Act was approved in 2002, Congress agreed to phase in increased payments for Title 1, the main federal program that helps school districts enrolling low-income children meet the new accountability mandates. Under the House bill, 48,826 Missouri children would lose $161,615,000 in Title 1 grants this year.

Under the House bill, after-school programs in Missouri would be funded at $21,504,000 below the amount promised by No Child Left Behind. The bill would cut Safe and Drug Free Schools Grants by more than 10 percent compared to last year, with Missouri receiving $5,203,000 less than the amount promised, and would underfund teacher training grants, which means professional development for Missouri teachers would be budgeted at $9,718,000 below the level promised.

The bill also would fail to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was written, Congress promised to cover 40 percent of the cost of special education. But under the current bill, the federal contribution would fall to only 17 percent of the cost.

Congress is expected to complete its work on the budget, including the education appropriations legislation and 9 other unfinished appropriations bills, after the November election. When the No Child Left Behind Act was approved, Congressional Democrats and Republicans promised to invest in education for the benefit of our students and for the future of our country. If we hope to provide great schools for every child, we must find a way to follow through on this commitment.

http://www.house.gov/skelton/col061015.htm