Letter to the full House Opposing the Proposed Continuing Resolution for FY 2011
The National Education Association (NEA) strongly opposes the proposed full year continuing resolution for fiscal year 2011 (H.R.1). This deeply troubling resolution would slash federal funding for education programs, with devastating consequences for students, communities, and our nation. We urge you to VOTE NO on this dangerous proposal. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 112th Congress.
H.R. 1 would effectively gut special education grants to local school districts, Head Start for children, and Pell Grants to disadvantaged college students, among other proven programs. In so doing, it would take us in the wrong direction – away from economic recovery and the investments needed to ensure a competitive, strong nation. Particularly in these troubling economic times, we should be investing in education, not slashing resources and jeopardizing our children’s future.
Research shows an inextricable link between investment in education and economic strength. In addition to widespread productivity increases, the higher earnings of educated workers generate higher tax payments at the local, state, and federal levels. Consistent productive employment reduces dependence on public income-transfer programs and all workers, regardless of education level, earn more when there are more college graduates in the labor force. (Education Pays, The College Board, 2007).
The draconian cuts contained in H.R. 1 would dash the dreams of countless American students, put additional strain on state budgets already cut to the bone, and stall the engine that drives our economy. For example:
- Title I, which provides additional resources to assist educationally disadvantaged children in high-poverty schools, would be cut by $693 million, reducing or eliminating services for 957,00 thousand high-risk children and potentially causing the loss of over 9,000 education jobs. According to First Focus, from 2008 to 2009, the number of America’s children that live in poverty grew by close to 2 million. In 2009, child poverty reached a level of 20.7 percent – a rate of more than one in five and totaling more than 15.5 million children. This makes Title I funding even more important, and cuts even more dangerous, as without these resources, far too many children will not have the supports they need to succeed.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) state grants would be slashed by $557 million, shifting to states and local districts the costs of educating 324,000 students with disabilities, therefore, increasing local tax burdens. In addition, the cuts could result in the loss of over 7,000 education jobs.
- Pell grants would be cut by $5.6 billion, making it more difficult for low- and middle-income families to pay for college. These cuts would eliminate or reduce aid for almost 1.5 million students.
- Head Start, which has a proven record of providing high-quality early childhood education, health, social services, and parental involvement programs, would be cut by over $1 billion, leading to elimination of enrollment slots for 127,000 poor children and the potential loss of over 14,000 jobs.
Policymakers need to make tough choices to restore fiscal discipline, but they should not jeopardize students’ education, which is tied to all of our futures. If the proposed cuts are enacted, countless working families will see their children’s future vanish before their eyes. We urge the House to rethink the approach for FY 2011 funding to ensure that our students can out-innovate, out-build, and out-compete the world. Please vote NO on H.R. 1.