News Release

'No Child Left Behind' Funding Plan Shortchanges Schools

Statement by National Education Association (NEA) President Reg Weaver on House Appropriations Committee Labor-HHS-Education bill

“The fiscal 2005 education spending bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee today falls far short of what schools need to fully meet the mandates of the so-called ‘No Child Left Behind’ law.

“The bill for all ‘No Child Left Behind’ programs is $9.5 billion less than what was promised when the law passed, and is even below what President Bush has requested.  This bill also eliminates programs proven to help students succeed, such as comprehensive school reform, drop-out prevention, parental assistance centers, and history, arts, and foreign language education.

“This lack of sufficient resources comes as cash-strapped school districts are paying for more bureaucracy, standardized testing, transportation, private tutoring, and other costly demands under the ‘No Child Left Behind’ law.  Because of last year’s inadequate funding, half of the nation’s 15,000 school districts will have less federal aid for poor children this fall.

“As a recent government memo also made clear, the Administration proposes to cut all federal education funding by $1.5 billion next year and to freeze it at that level for the next three years.

“Thus, America’s public school children face a triple whammy.  Half of all school districts will have to do more with less money for disadvantaged students in 2004.  Important programs to advance the goals of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ law are underfunded or scheduled for elimination next year.  Further, deeper cuts are proposed for fiscal 2006.  This is clearly moving us in the wrong direction.

“NEA and its 2.7 million members believe that to make the promise of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ law a reality, schools must receive more federal help to boost student achievement.  This means adequate resources for smaller class sizes, increased teacher training and parental involvement, expanded early childhood and after-school services, and new textbooks and materials.” 

July 14, 2004

For more information:
NEA Public Relations, 202 822-7200

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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.