NEA Urges Senate to Listen to Teachers on Ed Funding Bill

Senate Committee Making Progress Toward NEA Proposals

Washington, D.C. – The nation’s largest educators union, the National Education Association (NEA), is urging the Senate to listen to America’s educators on the federal education funding bill.

Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of one version of the bill that lays out the spending in the next year. The full Senate is required to vote on this bill, which contains funding for the so-called No Child Left Behind law, before the end of the budget year on October 1.

NEA’s proposals, below, are based on recommendations NEA gleaned from the more than 2.7 million members who have direct experience in classrooms and schools with what students need.

“If agreed to, these funding levels could make marked improvements in our nation’s classrooms,” said NEA President Reg Weaver. “Getting every student up to speed means getting every student what he or she needs – qualified teachers, small classes, and up-to-date materials. The Senate has a unique opportunity to make our students’ dreams a reality.”

Weaver added that in an election year, when many politicians are running on the promise to improve education, NEA’s members will be watching the actions of the Senate closely.

“The teachers and school employees who are asking for these investments know from experience what it will take to improve schools. Policymakers in Washington should listen and act according to the recommendations of those who work with children every day,” Weaver said. “After this vote, we will be encouraging our members to look at whether their elected officials have provided America’s children with what they need and to remember that on election day.”

What the NEA Wants the Senate to Fund in Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2005

• Provide funding for the No Child Left Behind law of $34.3 billion, the authorized level. Under No Child Left Behind, schools must show improvement quickly. Most activities that schools will put in place to improve student achievement -- after-school or summer school programs, enhanced and expanded professional development for teachers and smaller class sizes -- require additional resources that are scarce due to state budget shortfalls. The Senate Appropriations Committee increased the funding levels in the Administration and House budget requests by $118 million on Title I programs alone, though still far below the authorized level.

• Provide $12.4 billion for special education. This change for the Individuals with Disabilities in Education act (IDEA) would also be consistent with the bipartisan proposal from Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) to reach the mandatory level of full funding for IDEA over eight years. The Senate Appropriations Committee increased funding for IDEA by $1.2 billion, with an increase of $161 million over the Administration and House budget requests. This is still $1.1 billion less than is needed to stay on track to fund the law fully in eight years.

• Support an increase of at least $500 in the Pell Grant maximum. The cost of higher education is rising and even once “affordable” options such as public universities and community colleges are raising tuition to make up for severe state budget cuts. With this increase, the maximum allowed by a Pell Grant would be increased to $4,550. However, none of the versions proposed by the House, the Senate or the Administration include this increase.

• Protect key programs from elimination.  The Administration’s and House-passed version of the education funding bill eliminated funding for dozens of critical education programs, including dropout prevention and school counseling programs critical to increasing graduation rates and college attendance among at-risk populations. The Senate Appropriations Committee restored these vital programs in its version of the bill.

• Oppose vouchers. Reject any diversion of taxpayer funds to risky voucher schemes.

September 15, 2004

Contact:

Denise Cardinal, (202) 822-7239
Michael Pons, (202) 822-7595

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.