March 08, 2011
Dear Senator: The National Education Association (NEA) strongly opposes the House-passed full year continuing resolution for fiscal year 2011 (H.R.1). This deeply troubling resolution would slash federal funding for education programs, with devastating consequences for students, communities, and our nation. We urge you to:
- VOTE NO on the House-passed version of H.R. 1 when it comes to the Senate floor this week; and
- VOTE YES on the Senate alternative.
Votes associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 112th Congress.
H.R. 1 and the Senate substitute present vastly different visions for investments in education and our nation’s future. H.R. 1 as passed by the House would effectively gut Title I, Head Start for children, and Pell Grants to disadvantaged college students, among other proven programs. In so doing, it will take us in the wrong direction – away from economic recovery and the investments needed to ensure a competitive, strong nation. In contrast, the Senate alternative rejects these harmful cuts and instead provides for modest, targeted increases in critical programs.
Particularly in these troubling economic times, we should be investing in education, not slashing resources and jeopardizing our children’s future. Research shows an inextricable link between investment in education and economic strength. In addition to widespread productivity increases, the higher earnings of educated workers generate higher tax payments at the local, state, and federal levels. Consistent productive employment reduces dependence on public income-transfer programs and all workers, regardless of education level, earn more when there are more college graduates in the labor force. (Education Pays, The College Board, 2007).
The draconian cuts contained in the House-passed bill would dash the dreams of countless American students, put additional strain on state budgets already cut to the bone, and stall the engine that drives our economy. For example:
- Title I, which provides additional resources to assist educationally disadvantaged children in high-poverty schools, would be cut by $693 million, reducing or eliminating services for 957,00 thousand high-risk children and potentially causing the loss of over 9,000 education jobs. According to First Focus, from 2008 to 2009, the number of America’s children that live in poverty grew by close to 2 million. In 2009, child poverty reached a level of 20.7 percent – a rate of more than one in five and totaling more than 15.5 million children. This makes Title I funding even more important, and cuts even more dangerous, as without these resources, far too many children will not have the supports they need to succeed.
- Pell grants would be cut by $5.6 billion, making it more difficult for low- and middle-income families to pay for college. These cuts would eliminate or reduce aid for almost 1.5 million students.
- Head Start, which has a proven record of providing high-quality early childhood education, health, social services, and parental involvement programs, would be cut by over $1 billion, leading to elimination of enrollment slots for 196,000 poor children and the potential loss of over 26,000 jobs.
The Senate alternative recognizes the need to invest for the future by maintaining the Pell grant maximum award, literacy programs and campus-based aid while providing modest increases for Title I grants to high-poverty school districts, IDEA state grants, after-school programs, and Head Start. We are disappointed, however, that the Senate version places a higher priority on competitive grants than on core education programs like Title I and IDEA that are targeted to those with the greatest needs.
Policymakers need to make tough choices to restore fiscal discipline, but they should not jeopardize students’ education, and, in turn, all of our futures. If the House cuts are enacted, countless working families will see their children’s future vanish before their eyes.
The Senate has a chance to do the right thing – to stand up for children, schools, communities, and our nation. We urge you to reject the House bill and support the Senate alternative.
Sincerely,
Kim Anderson
Director of Government Relations
Mary Kusler Director of Government Relations
Manager of Federal Advocacy
Federal Legislative Updates
News from Capitol Hill. . .
March 18, 2011
TAXPAYER-FUNDED VOUCHERS. TELL CONGRESS NO!
The House of Representatives postponed a March 17 vote on legislation (H.R. 471) to renew and expand the District of Columbia private school voucher program at taxpayer expense. But, the vote will be rescheduled for the week of March 28, and House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) is making passage of the DC voucher bill a top priority.
Instead of taking money out of public schools for private schools, Congress should be investing in strategies to improve student achievement, such as increasing parental involvement, strengthening teacher training, and reducing class size. We need to be focusing on getting all students ready for the jobs of the future, not allowing a few students and parents to choose a private school at taxpayer expense. When public schools are struggling and teachers are being laid off, the last thing we need is to spend money on private schools. As Congress is proposing drastic reductions in federal spending, including a House-passed bill slashing billions from core education programs, there is no reason to divert millions of dollars to vouchers.
Take Action TODAY: Tell your Representative to oppose renewal and expansion of the DC voucher program.
FROM PRE-K TO POST-GRADUATE—STUDENTS ARE COUNTING ON CONGRESS FOR SUPPORT!
This week, Congress agreed to another short-term continuing resolution (CR) through April 8 to avoid a government shutdown. But, the new three-week CR is expected to be the last short-term solution, as many Members of Congress have stated opposition to any additional short-term CRs. This means Congress will have come to agreement on a spending bill for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September 30) or risk a shutdown.
Compromise will be necessary to get any bill passed. But, conservative Members will be pushing for deep cuts in education and other programs. Your voice is critical to keep up the pressure for investments in education.
Take Action TODAY: Tell Congress to craft a continuing resolution that invests in education for our nation’s future.
DON’T MISS THE NEA/ROCK THE VOTE DEMOCRACY DAY!
Forty years ago, educators and students stood together and fought to give young adults the right to vote. In doing so, they amended the Constitution and empowered millions of American citizens to have a say in our democracy.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, Rock the Vote, in partnership with the National Education Association, brings you the first annual Democracy Day. We are kicking off Democracy Day on March 23, 2011, asking educators, principals, school support staff and community organizations nationwide to commit to teaching Rock the Vote’s Democracy Class lesson to students before the end of the school year. Sign up to receive the Democracy Class lesson plan, a video on the history of voting and how elections connect to young people, and additional materials to make Democracy Day a day that your students never forget.
ATTACKS IN STATES CONTINUE—STAND STRONG AND JOIN THE FIGHT!
As attacks against dedicated public employees continue in statehouses across the nation, educators are speaking up and standing up for the students we serve:
- In Michigan this week, thousands gathered at the statehouse to protest state takeovers of schools and municipalities and a push to outsource education jobs.
- In Maryland, 15,000 people rallied in Annapolis to support educators and public workers opposing budget cuts that would threaten the quality of the Maryland public school system and other vital public services.
- And, in Wisconsin, roughly 100,000 converged yet again on the state’s capitol to protest the overreach by the governor and state legislators. Elsewhere throughout the state, thousands converged at a number of locations.
- Stand with those struggling to defend collective bargaining rights. Sign the NEA National Petition for Workers' Rights.
- Support protesters and rallies across the country by giving a tax-deductible donation to the 51 Fund.
CHEERS AND JEERS
Cheers to:
Senators Conrad (D-ND) and Collins (R-ME), who introduced legislation that would more closely target federal funding to rural schools – to provide them with the necessary resources to support technology upgrades, teacher training, and other activities. The REAP Reauthorization Act of 2011 would allow the nation’s poorest, smallest, and most geographically isolated rural schools to receive additional funding and flexibility to undertake significant reform. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) who introduced the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act) to combat childhood obesity by strengthening physical education programs in schools throughout the country. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who introduced the Full Service Community School Act. The bill aims to improve student achievement by helping schools use resources more efficiently and improving the coordination of health, dental and nutrition services for children and their families, career counseling for parents, and early childhood education programs. Jeers to:
Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, who this week announced that Republicans will not cooperate in moving forward on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act if the President refuses to sign legislation to renew and expand the District of Columbia voucher program.
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