November 20, 2003
This week, negotiators will be working out a final omnibus appropriations bill to fund much of the federal government, including the Department of Education. Lee urged members of Congress to fully fund the promises made in the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act (NCLB) and to drop the experimental provisions for the District of Columbia that would spend millions of dollars for private school vouchers, diverting much-needed resources away from the 90 percent of American children who attend public schools.
“Every week must be American Education Week,” said Lee. “Education is the top priority of parents, children, and our nation, yet President Bush and the Republican Congress have shortchanged the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act, including teacher training, after-school programs, special education and basic math and reading help. Thanks to the Republicans, the Congress will get a failing grade if we adjourn for the year without making sure that our children have the best education possible -- or deliver on the education improvements that were promised.”
This summer, House Republicans passed an education spending bill that breaks promises made to parents and children in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act. That bill under-funds the landmark NCLB by $9 billion – meaning that 2 million children will not get reading and math help, 1 million children will not have after-school programs, and 80,000 fewer teachers will get high-quality training, compared to that promised under the NCLB. In September, House Republicans included a private school vouchers proposal in the appropriations bill for the District of Columbia. Both bills will now be combined into one “omnibus” spending bill.
This week is American Education Week, which recognizes educators and school staff, who keep our children safe and healthy. This week-long celebration has occurred since 1921 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, NEA, National PTA, American Legion, American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, American Federal of Teacher, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Secondary School Principals.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Keeps Fighting for Education as Congress Seeks to Adjourn for the Year
Washington, DC – In honor of American Education Week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today called on her colleagues in Congress to reverse their current course and to keep their promises to invest in education before Congress adjourns for the session.This week, negotiators will be working out a final omnibus appropriations bill to fund much of the federal government, including the Department of Education. Lee urged members of Congress to fully fund the promises made in the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act (NCLB) and to drop the experimental provisions for the District of Columbia that would spend millions of dollars for private school vouchers, diverting much-needed resources away from the 90 percent of American children who attend public schools.
“Every week must be American Education Week,” said Lee. “Education is the top priority of parents, children, and our nation, yet President Bush and the Republican Congress have shortchanged the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act, including teacher training, after-school programs, special education and basic math and reading help. Thanks to the Republicans, the Congress will get a failing grade if we adjourn for the year without making sure that our children have the best education possible -- or deliver on the education improvements that were promised.”
This summer, House Republicans passed an education spending bill that breaks promises made to parents and children in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act. That bill under-funds the landmark NCLB by $9 billion – meaning that 2 million children will not get reading and math help, 1 million children will not have after-school programs, and 80,000 fewer teachers will get high-quality training, compared to that promised under the NCLB. In September, House Republicans included a private school vouchers proposal in the appropriations bill for the District of Columbia. Both bills will now be combined into one “omnibus” spending bill.
This week is American Education Week, which recognizes educators and school staff, who keep our children safe and healthy. This week-long celebration has occurred since 1921 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, NEA, National PTA, American Legion, American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, American Federal of Teacher, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Secondary School Principals.
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