SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY EDUCATION

JANUARY 29, 2004

SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY - EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued today's "Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day" on education.

According to the Washington Post (January 22, 2003), President Bush said during a visit to Toledo, Ohio, "No child should be left behind in the education system."

However, according to a report prepared by the office of Democratic Leader Pelosi and the Democratic staff of the House Appropriations Committee:

President Bush has signed into law a FY 2004 funding bill that shortchanges many of the key promises made to parents and children in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act. Overall, the FY 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Act underfunds the No Child Left Behind Act by about $8 billion, and provides the smallest percentage increase in education funds in eight years.

Whether it's improving teacher training, demanding that all students make progress, funding after-school centers, or helping the children of military personnel, Republicans talk about accountability while failing to provide the necessary resources.

Under the GOP budget, massive tax cuts have crowded out education priorities. As a result, the FY 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Act cuts education funding for the children of Illinois by about $409,057,000 below the levels authorized by he No Child Left Behind Act and the IDEA Reauthorization Act, with key cuts highlighted below.

OMNIBUS SHORTCHANGES TITLE I IN ILLINOIS. Underfunding The Cornerstone of The No Child Left Behind Act - Title I. Title I is the primary federal program that helps school districts enrolling low-income children meet the new accountability mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). To help raise the academic performance of these students, Congress agreed to phase in increased Title I payments. For FY 2004, NCLB authorizes $18.5 billion - and yet the GOP funding bill provides only $12.3 billion. As a result, under the Omnibus, the children of Illinois will lose $264,900,000 in Title I grants below the amount called for by NCLB.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN ILLINOIS ARE LEFT BEHIND. Omnibus Breaks Promise GOP Made on IDEA Funding. On April 30, 2003, Republicans passed H.R. 1350, IDEA Reauthorization, which promised a $2.2 billion increase for IDEA grants in FY 2004 to help local school districts educate children with disabilities. And yet the Omnibus provides only a $1.2 billion increase. As a result, under the Omnibus, children with disabilities in Illinois will lose $46,156,000 in IDEA grants below the level promised in the Republican-backed IDEA Reauthorization Act.

OMNIBUS DENIES AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES IN ILLINOIS. Shortchanging After-School Learning Opportunities. NCLB authorizes $1.75 billion in FY 2004 for after-school centers, which provide safe places between 3 and 6 p.m. where children receive academic help and enrichment activities. And yet the Omnibus provides only $999 million -- $751 million short of the amount authorized. As a result, under the Omnibus, the children of Illinois will lose $31,059,000 in After-School Program funding below the level called for by NCLB.

GOP UNDERFUNDS TEACHER QUALITY GRANTS IN ILLINOIS. Failing to Fund A "Highly Qualified" Teacher in Every Classroom. The No Child Left Behind Act authorizes $3.3 billion in FY 2004 for Teacher Quality Grants to the states - which are used to provide high-quality professional development to teachers. And yet the Omnibus freezes funding at $2.9 billion. As a result, under the Omnibus, the state of Illinois will lose $12,976,000 in Teacher Quality Grants below the level called for by the bipartisan NCLB.

GOP UNDERFUNDS SCHOOLS NEAR MILITARY BASES IN ILLINOIS. Omnibus Leaves Military Dependents Behind. The Impact Aid program helps children of military personnel receive a quality education - yet the Omnibus provides only $1.1 billion, not enough to address the severe financial challenges facing many impacted school districts. As a result, under the Omnibus, the state of Illinois will lose $13,082,000 in Impact Aid grants below the level authorized.