|
|
TEXAS AFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE--MONDAY, JULY 13,
2009 Federal Education Aid Needs Boost to Avoid Post-Stimulus Funding Dropoff: While federal stimulus aid for public schools in Texas is welcome, indeed urgently needed, this infusion of aid runs out after two years. What if state and local governments at that point are still facing a "funding cliff" brought about by continued economic distress and the end of stimulus funding? That question prompted the American Federation of Teachers to make a strong plea last week for improved base-line funding of federal programs such as Title I for the economically disadvantaged and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for students receiving special-education services. Texas stands to receive an extra $2.25 billion for these two programs over the next two school years, but school districts are unlikely to get the most bang for the extra bucks if they fear that these higher funding levels will not be sustained. Most other states are similarly situated. As AFT said to congressional budget writers last week, it is therefore crucial to provide significant support for these education programs in the new fiscal 2010 budget now moving through the U.S. House. The House appropriations subcommittee writing the education budget has already responded favorably to one part of AFT's plea. On Friday that panel unveiled a draft bill flatly rejecting any cutbacks in Title I formula aid, which had been suggested by the White House as a trade-off to fund new school-improvement grants. However, the subcommittee's draft education budget does not yet contain the significant increases AFT requested in funding for Title I, IDEA, and other vital education initiatives such as grants to states for career and technical education. The next step in the budget-writing process takes place on Thursday, July 17, when the full U.S. House Appropriations Committee will consider education spending. AFT legislative staffers will be there on your behalf. This congressional hearing will air live via the Internet at 8 a.m. Central; you'll find the Webcast under "Events" on the menu at the following committee link on Thursday morning: http://appropriations.house.gov/. Professional Integrity Defended: AFT is one of 19 professional unions and associations that have banded together in defense of professional integrity--in particular, the right and duty of professionals to stand up for the quality of services the public deserves. The coalition, calling itself Professionals for the Public Interest, has launched a Web site, www.pftpi.org, and invites educators and other professionals to submit their individual stories about defending professional integrity against external pressures. Ready to tell your story? Contact http://pftpi.org/index.php/share-your-ideas/. New State Board of Education Chair Named: Gov. Rick Perry has named State Board of Education member Gail Lowe, Republican of Lampasas, as the new SBOE chair. Lowe has been a reliable member of the ultraconservative faction on the State Board, but she has vowed to chair the 15-member board with openness to differing views. Lowe is a former school-board member who sent her children to public schools--a background that sets her somewhat apart from others in the ultraconservative bloc, who have made a point of expressing their distaste for public schools and have home-schooled their children. Lowe will have an immediate chance to display her leadership style when the State Board meets Tuesday through Friday of this week. The agenda will include discussion of the State Board's process for ongoing review and revision of curriculum guidelines. |
