Budget Brouhaha

NEA Today, Mar 2004

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When it comes to education funding, who's leaving whom behind? A new study by NEA reveals that the federal government last year shortchanged the Elementary and secondary Education Act (ESEA), the so-called No Child Left Behind law, by more than $32 billion, based on what it would cost to serve every eligible child. The result: roughly 5 million disadvantaged children were deprived of individualized instruction and smaller classes. Meanwhile, shortfalls for Head Start left nearly 3 million eligible preschoolers without critical education, health, and social services.

Sadly, this year isn't looking any better.

In January, Congress finally approved an education spending plan for the 2004 fiscal year-nearly four months behind schedule. And it wasn't even worth the wait. For starters, the budget stiffs ESEA for the third consecutive year, providing $7 billion less than what the law originally prescribed. That means states, once again, must pick up the slack to pay for the federal mandates.

"States and school districts, many strapped by severe budget crises, are working hard to make it possible for every child to be successful," says NEA President Reg Weaver. "But the gap is growing between what the federal government is providing and what is needed to get the job done."

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) also takes a hit, receiving about half of the amount of money Congress outlined in its original budget blueprint. The budget also shorts funding for English-language learners, which means nearly 4 million children won't get to learn English.

Can anything be done? You betcha. At press time, President Bush was scheduled to put his 2005 budget on the table, and if he gets his way he'll leave at least another 5 million children behind. Find out the latest details-and how you can speak out on behalf of your kids and schools-by visiting www.nea.org/lac/.>

Copyright National Education Association Mar 2004

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