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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2002

News Release

Senate Budget Provides Largest Investment in U.S. Education

America's Students Move Ahead With Senate Budget Priorities

Washington, D.C. - The budget proposed today by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad provides significant investments in important education programs that will help all of America's students, including those with disabilities and from low-income families, at a higher level than has ever been proposed in our nation's history.

"The funding levels in the Senate's proposed budget puts America's kids where they belong - ahead," National Education Association President Bob Chase said. "With adequate resources, we can ensure that every student has a high-quality teacher and access to innovative programs that inspire learning. These investments in America's future will benefit our children, and our nation, for decades to come."

Another historic aspect of the Senate's proposal is that it would fully fund within six years the federal share of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) for the first time since the law was enacted more than 25 years ago. Currently, the federal government covers only about 12 percent of the total cost of educating special needs students even though the law states it would cover 40 percent of the cost. The budget would provide yearly increases of $2.5 billion per year for IDEA (an additional $1.5 billion for FY 03 above the President's budget and the House Budget Resolution. The budget also makes IDEA funding mandatory for the first time, giving states and local school districts the ability to plan on a reliable funding stream.

Other education investments included in the Senate's budget include:

• More than $2 Billion for increased investments for teacher training, improving student achievement in Title I schools and other vital programs included in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act, above the amounts provided in the Administration or House budget. A portion of this increase may also be used to increase Pell Grants to expand college opportunities.

• $1.7 Billion to restore funding to programs such as Safe and Drug-Free Schools, rural education and technology that were cut in the Administration and House budgets.

In addition to increasing funding for important programs, the bill eliminates $4 Billion in the President's and House budget to pay for private school tuition tax credits, which would divert much-needed funding away from the public schools.

"On behalf of our nation's teachers, I would like to thank Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad for making this investment in our children a high priority in this budget," Chase said. "It is now time for the Budget Committee, the full Senate, and the entire Congress to agree to these critical education investments that will help ensure a secure economic future for our country."

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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.