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

RHODE ISLAND TO LOSE AT LEAST $12.5 MILLION FOR EDUCATION
UNDER HOUSE BUDGET BILL

Students and schools in Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island 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under the House bill specifically targeted to turn around the lowest performing schools or to improve the condition of outdated and dilapidated, sometimes dangerous, school buildings. Rhode Island would lose at least $12.5 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 Rhode Island's efforts to make real educational reform. "Even though Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island would mean:

• Some $8.1 million less to reduce overcrowded class sizes by hiring quality teachers, which would jeopardize an estimated 125 new teachers already hired in Rhode Island and deny children the benefits of smaller classes,

• Some $3.4 million less to improve teacher quality and recruit teachers into high-poverty school districts,

• Some $412,772 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 3,599 young people in Rhode Island at 20 schools. In addition, the House bill falls $125 million short of the President's budget for GEAR UP, which creates early intervention programs in low income schools and links academic reforms and mentoring to college access. It also does not fully honor a previous commitment to help ongoing GEAR UP programs provide their services to more students or grade levels. Rhode Island currently has a GEAR UP grant serving an estimated 1,500 students.

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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