News Release

Congressional Swipes at Public Education
Ignored in State of Union Address

Lawmakers Should Reject President's Agenda,
Restore Support for Public Schools

"It's reassuring to hear the president focused on competing in a global economy. As he said, to keep our competitive edge we must maintain our greatest advantage: educated, hard-working, ambitious people. Yet in December, lawmakers cut $13.7 billion from education spending, the first federal cuts to education in a decade.

"While the president says he wants the United States to remain competitive in the changing global economy, that simply can't happen without quality education. Quality public schools, and access to higher education, are stepping stones to better lives. The massive education cuts by Congress don't just hurt students, they hurt our national standing in the global economy.

"No Child Left Behind has been under-funded by $40 billion over the past five years, including $1 billion in cuts by Congress in December. Yet the president wants to expand the one-size-fits-all approach in the law to high schools as well. The law hasn't worked for elementary schools, and it won't work for high schools. The current massive under-funding not only falls short of supporting the existing law, but leaves little doubt that the proposed expansion will not succeed.

"The president's focus on the importance of math and science is encouraging. If our children are to succeed in the new millennium, we must help students achieve in math and science by recruiting more educators to the field, providing high quality professional development, and building schools that are equipped to meet the challenge. While math and science are important in maintaining America's competitive edge, public schools need the support of lawmakers in all fields -- from math and science to reading and English. Qualified teachers and education support professionals will make it happen."

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Jan. 31, 2006

Contact:

Cecil Cahoon (202) 822-7756

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional 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.