RE: Federal Funding for Education
ISSUE:
In the next two weeks a House-Senate conference committee will decide
on a
final funding bill for education for FY 2003. At stake is a $6.5
billion
increase for education, which is critical to the ability of states and
school districts to adequately address the commitments made in the
reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known
as
the No Child Left Behind Act.
ACTION NEEDED by February 14, 2003
Please call your U.S. representative and senators to relay the
following
messages: National PTA wants the House and Senate conferees to:
* Pass a final funding bill that retains the $6.5 billion increase for
education reform and IDEA, which is included in the Senate bill. In
contrast, the House bill would provide only a $400 million increase and
cut
ESEA programs by $90 million.
* Restore cuts that were made to many other key education programs
such as
Title I, teacher quality, and educational technology. Currently, no
federal
education program is fully meeting the need of those who are eligible.
Increases to one program that are paid for with cuts to others are not
productive.
To see how much your state could benefit from this increase, go to:
http://www.pta.org/cfplus/legis/issues/chart.xls
All senators and representatives can be reached by calling the Capitol
switchboard at 202/224-3121 or 202/225-3121. Many of the final spending
decisions will be made behind closed doors, but input from constituents
can
move lawmakers to contact key negotiators to take action.
TALKING POINTS:
* Increased funding is needed to help states and schools meet the new
requirements set out in the reauthorized ESEA. Without resources that
bill
will not yield its intended results.
* Most states have budget deficits. As a result, many will have to cut
funding for education. These cuts occur at the same time that schools
face
record-high enrollments, an increased proportion of students with
special
needs and limited-English proficiency, a teacher shortage, and a
growing
need to repair facilities and upgrade technology. States and schools
cannot
do all this on their own.
* PTA supports congressional efforts to address our nation’s homeland
security and economic recovery, but at the same time, Congress must
support
an increased investment in education. Adequate funding for education
and
child-related programs is critical to strengthening the military,
preparing
workers for high-demand technical and scientific jobs, and building a
strong
economy.
* A bill providing the highest funding levels possible for education is
needed to help match the growing expectations the American people have
for
excellence for all students. Congress approved the No Child Left Behind
Act;
now Congress must provide the funds to implement it.
Lynn McIntyre
Georgia PTA Legislative Chair
everychild.onevoice.