Each state would decide how to allocate the spending based on current needs, Miller said. The goal is to fund projects that can begin within 60 days to promote quick job creation.
Both the House and Senate have included $13 billion for Title I, the federal government’s chief program to help low-income students and schools. Special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act also would receive $13 billion over two years. K-12 educators have said both programs are underfunded; Title I, in particular, is an important program for schools seeking to meet demands of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Another key provision in the House and Senate is $79 billion to help stabilize state budgets. About half of this funding would go directly to education to prevent cuts at the state and local levels.
Despite lack of Republican support for the stimulus, Democrats were confident of final approval of a bill. First, however, the House and Senate must bridge differences between their bills on several initiatives. For example, the House bill has $6 billion for higher education modernization, compared with $3.5 billion from the Senate. The latter measure, however, would guarantee some funding for community colleges.
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