In a speech on the Senate floor today, United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) called for an increase in federal support for education.
"Our investment in the education of future generations that will someday run this country cannot be undervalued. We must ensure the best education for our young people. This will not happen if we undermine education as a priority by cutting funding for schools, classrooms, and students," Akaka said.
"This is the challenge before us today. Education's share of the Federal budget has declined, and it did not start out as a significant percentage. Education makes up two percent of the FY 1999 budget. Compare this two percent with about 15 percent for defense, 22 percent for Social Security, 11 percent for Medicare, and 13 percent for interest on the debt.
"In addition, the Federal share of education funding has declined, falling from 14 percent for elementary and secondary programs in FY 1980 to six percent in FY 1998. For higher education, the Federal share fell from 18 percent to 12 percent from 1980 to 1998. Because Federal dollars leverage more support for education from other sectors of the economy, we cannot allow the Federal share to dwindle."
According to the recent Baby Boom Echo Report from the U.S. Department of Education, total public and private school enrollment in this country has risen to a record 53 million students. Between 1989 and 2009, elementary school enrollment will have increased by five million children, secondary enrollment by almost four million students, and college by three million students.
The report lists Hawaii among the top 15 states in enrollment growth. A 13 percent increase is forecast over the next decade for public elementary and secondary enrollment. Hawaii will gain 26,000 more students in its schools, reaching 227,000 students.
"There will be tremendous consequences from this Baby Boom Echo," Akaka explained. "One example is in the need for school construction and modernization. About three in every four schools in Hawaii need to upgrade or repair buildings to good overall condition. More than half of schools report at least one inadequate building feature, whether the roof is leaking, plumbing is not functioning well, or windows are inadequate. In addition, four out of five schools report at least one unsatisfactory environmental factor, such as air quality, ventilation, or lighting. We will need to attend to some or all of these conditions soon as Hawaii continues to feel the impact of increasing enrollments."
Over the next decade, the Hawaii Department of Education estimates that it will need $1.5 billion for capital improvements. This will include 15 new elementary schools, two new intermediate schools, and two new high schools. The figure also accounts for 400 new permanent classrooms and $120 million for building replacement.
"The problem at hand today is the 17 percent cut in overall education funding proposed by the Congressional Republican leadership," Akaka noted. "This 17 percent cut will be felt by State and local education agencies, school districts, schools, and classrooms. Its impact will go directly to our children. The Safe and Drug Free Schools program will be cut almost $80 million from current funding, which means a cut of more than $375,000 from programs in Hawaii's school- and community-based drug education and prevention activities. Hawaii would lose more than $3 million in Title I funding for disadvantaged students. Hawaii's schools cannot afford this loss in funding. There are additional cuts I could list. Congress must not ravage education funding.
"I cannot see any good for our country coming out of these large education cuts. Let us put muscle behind our rhetoric and treat education as a priority by preventing this 17 percent cut and investing wisely in America's greatest resource: our children," counseled Akaka.
