10/4/11

Public education funding bills introduced by U.S. lawmakers remain pending for the federal fiscal year 2012 that started October 1, 2011.  U.S. lawmakers are proposing to consolidate funding for many formula grants for public education.  A few highlights are provided below. 

U.S. Senate Proposal

Senator Richard Burr, R-N.C., introduced a bill to streamline about 60 education programs into two broad formula grants, the Teaching and Learning program, and the Safe and Healthy Student Program. To access Senator Burr's bill S.1569, click on the link below.

http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=IssuesLegislation.SponsoredLegislation

Senator Burr’s bill also proposes to provide flexibility in transferring funds between the two grants and into Title I grants.  However, there would be restrictions on transfers involving certain special populations and transfers between certain formula grants.  An overview of the two proposed consolidated programs in a recent press release is excerpted below. 

• Fund for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning 
  • Consolidates 34 programs into ONE flexible, formula-driven Fund for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning to fund locally-determined needs and initiatives related to —
    • Increasing the capacity of local school districts, schools, teachers, and principals to provide a well-rounded and complete education for all students.
    • Increasing the number of teachers and principals who are effective in increasing student academic achievement.
    • Ensuring that low-income students are served by effective teachers and principals and have access to a high-quality instructional program in the core academic subjects .
• Safe and Healthy Students Block Grant 

• Consolidates 25 programs into ONE flexible, formula-driven Safe and Healthy Students Block Grant to fund locally-determined needs and initiatives for improving students’ safety, health, and well-being during and after the school day by —

• Increasing the capacity of local school districts, schools, and local communities to create safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free environments.
• Carrying out programs designed to improve school safety and promote students’ physical and mental health well-being, healthy eating and nutrition, and physical fitness.
• Preventing and reducing substance abuse, school violence, and bullying.
• Strengthening parent and community engagement to ensure a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment.

To follow developments on funding proposals for fiscal year 2012 by the U.S. Senate, click on the link below. 

http://www.senate.gov/reference/Legislation/Appropriations/2012.htm

U.S. House of Representatives Proposal

The Department of Education is proposed to be funded at $69 billion, which is $2.4 billion (-3%) below last year’s level and $11.5 billion (-14%) below the budget request. An introduced bill eliminates more than 30 programs, including the Administration’s “Race to the Top” program.

According to a recent Committee for Education Funding (http://cef.org/) analysis, the U.S. House proposes to scrap 31 education programs, including:

• School Leadership- $29.2 million
• Arts in Education- $27.2 million
• Advanced Placement- $43.3 million
• Carol M. White Physical Education Program- $78.8 million
• Ready to Learn Television- $27.2 million
• Elementary and Secondary School Counseling- $52.4 million
• Mathematics and Science Partnerships- $175 million
• High School Graduation Initiative- $48.9 million
• Teaching American History- $45.9 million

To follow developments on funding proposals for fiscal year 2012 by the U.S. House of Representatives, click on the link below. 

http://appropriations.house.gov/Legislation/