Federal Education Funding

Federal Education Funding

As I've traveled across the Third Congressional District and spoken with people, during the past several weeks, the subject that consistently generates the most questions is federal funding for education.

The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce states on its website: "When it comes to our nation's schools - on all levels - more than ever is being spent…and, indeed, more than ever is being expected." About $90 billion in federal resources fund student aid programs. That's nearly three times what it was ten years ago and includes everything from loans and grants to work-study programs and education tax benefits.

As a father of two daughters in school, I was excited to vote for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 3010) on behalf of all District parents and grandparents. That bill funded the Department of Education at its highest level ever, $57 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2006.

That same legislation included over $13 billion for Pell Grant funding in FY06. My colleagues and I voted to raise the maximum Pell Grant to $4,050 for FY06. Since I have been in Congress, Pell Grant funding has never decreased. Finally, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included $17.5 billion in federal resources for post-secondary education in FY06.

My mother is a retired elementary school teacher. Therefore, early in life I learned what an important role teachers play in young people's lives. That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Teachers Tax Credit Act (H.R. 986). This legislation would provide a $2,000 tax credit to eligible teachers who use their own money to purchase school supplies for students.

The most important education reform bill in many years is the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). NCLB was passed with broad bipartisan support. This landmark education reform legislation provides more federal funding and in exchange holds schools, teachers, and students alike, accountable for performance and results.

A Department of Education, Summary of Discretionary Funds states that since NCLB was enacted, the federal government has increased spending on the program by more than 40%. In fact, in FY06, the federal government will spend over 23.3 billion dollars exclusively on No Child Left Behind.

The Department of Education estimates that Ohio will receive over $652 million to implement No Child Left Behind in 2007. The state of Ohio has received more than a 40% increase in federal No Child Left Behind funds, since the program's inception.

Like many states, Ohio has received more federal education funding than it has fully spent. During my first three fiscal years in Congress (2003-2006), Ohio has not spent over $265 million in federal education funding that it was provided. A breakdown of funds not spent by each state going back to fiscal year 2001 is available on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce website: http://edworkforce.house.gov/

Education is an investment in our nation's future. I am proud of my record of supporting our country's schools and students.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/11.3.06.shtml