Simpson Scores Wins for Idaho Education
Simpson Scores Wins for Idaho Education
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today commented on the House version of the fiscal year 2006 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill which included reinstating the TRIO Program Funding to last year's level.
The House Appropriations Committee restored TRIO funding to last year's level of $837 million, rejecting the $467 million cut proposed in the Administration's budget. Simpson had requested the increased funding earlier this year. In addition, the House bill restores GEAR UP funding to last year's level of $306 million.
"The TRIO program helps over 3,500 low income Idaho students prepare for college," said Simpson. "As the TRIO Congressional Caucus Co-Chairman, I've worked to ensure this program continues to receive funding and I'm extremely pleased with our success."
Simpson also worked with the House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner and the Department of Education to make sensible changes to No Child Left Behind. The law listed different dates for teachers and paraprofessionals to obtain highly qualified' status. Simpson corrected this problem by bringing it to the Department's attention.
Simpson requested that the paraprofessionals deadline be consistent with teacher deadline at the end of the school year rather than in the middle. In a letter to Simpson, Education Deputy Secretary Ray Simon said the idea was reasonable and he confirmed his agency would align the paraprofessionals timeline with the teachers.
"When the Idaho Education Association brought this issue to my attention, I was surprised to find different dates for teachers and paraprofessionals to obtain highly qualified' status," said Simpson. "I began working to correct this problem because of the disruption it would cause students as the paraprofessionals deadline was in the middle of the school year. I'm extremely grateful to Chairman Boehner and the Department of Education for working with me to fix this problem."
"Congressman Simpson has always been an advocate for public education. His leadership on this issue proves once again that taking care of our most vulnerable students is a non-partisan issue and that putting our children first must continue to be our most important priority," said Kathy Phelan, President of the Idaho Education Association. "The almost 12,000 members of the IEA are grateful for Congressman Simpson's leadership on this issue."
Current paraprofessionals must compile at least two years of college study or earn an associate's degree to be deemed highly qualified. The other option is to pass a test that covers the subjects of: reading, writing and math as well as their ability to help teach. Newly hired aides must have such qualifications before they can get the jobs.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/id02_simpson/education_para.html