A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
May 31, 2000

Contact:
Erica Lepping
(202) 401-3383

LOUISIANA TO LOSE AT LEAST $76.2 MILLION FOR EDUCATION
UNDER HOUSE BUDGET BILL

Students and schools in Louisiana next year would be denied federal funds for education in key areas of reform under a bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee last week. Louisiana would receive no support under the House bill specifically targeted to turn around the lowest performing schools or to improve the condition of outdated and dilapidated, sometimes dangerous, school buildings. Louisiana would lose at least $76.2 million requested by the President to help local schools improve the basic skills of disadvantaged students and use research-based, proven strategies to improve teaching and learning. Overall, the House bill provides $2.9 billion less nationally than the President's request for education.

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said the bill fails to fully support Louisiana's efforts to make real educational reform. "Even though Louisiana is working to implement important reforms to help students learn to new high standards, by refusing to provide needed federal support, the Congressional majority's message is clear - schools and colleges should fend for themselves. The President has proposed a balanced budget that makes the investments needed for better schools while also demanding more from them. I urge Congress to value the efforts of parents, teachers, students and everyone who cares about improving education in Louisiana. Congress should fully fund the President's proposal to make a real difference in the success of our children - we owe every young person that kind of support."

The House bill, in comparison to the President's budget proposal, in Louisiana would mean:

• Some $37.8 million less to reduce overcrowded class sizes by hiring quality teachers, which would jeopardize an estimated 775 new teachers already hired in Louisiana and deny children the benefits of smaller classes,
• Some $13.9 million less to improve teacher quality and recruit teachers into high-poverty school districts,
• Some $20,027,970 less to help students in high-poverty areas learn the basics and meet the academic standards expected of all children.

The Committee also rejected $400 million of the President's increase to fund safe, high-quality, after-school programs, through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Today, that program supports high quality after-school programs for an estimated 2,879 young people in Louisiana at 16 schools.

Riley also noted that although federal funds only comprise about seven percent of total funds on education, they can make the difference in improving education. A 1998 GAO report found that federal dollars are seven times more targeted to serve poor students than state funds.

"The House bill provides fewer federal funds, for example, to train teachers to use technology," he said. "While the world is becoming more and more dependent on technology and education, the House seems content with leaving the digital divide and the achievement gap among rich and poor schools wide open."

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