Senate Rejects President’s Call to Cut Early College Awareness Programs
Instead votes to provide an extra $5 billion for education programs
By Charles Dervarics
Advocates for minority-serving institutions and increased financial aid prevailed in one battle but lost another as Congress continues to send mixed signals on the prospect of more higher education funding next year.
The Senate secured a major victory with a 51-49 vote rejecting President Bush’s call for cuts in early college awareness programs, such as TRIO, and the outright elimination of GEAR UP and career education funding. With six Republicans joining 45 Democrats, the Senate instead voted to provide an extra $5.4 billion for education programs.
While protecting GEAR UP, TRIO and the Carl D. Perkins Act, the Senate amendment also earmarks enough funds to raise the maximum Pell Grant to $4,500 next year, up $450 from the current level. Another provision would dramatically increase educational loan forgiveness for students who choose careers as math or science teachers.
The plan proposed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., still would need support from the House of Representatives. But advocates expressed hope that the Senate vote would create important momentum for the battles still ahead.
“It’s a very important start,” says Dr. Arnold Mitchem, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, which represents TRIO programs. But he adds, “It’s going to take a lot of bipartisan support to keep this plan alive.”
President Bush has called for cuts in two TRIO programs — Upward Bound and Talent Search, citing poor evaluations. The administration would use savings from these programs and others to fund a new high-school intervention initiative.
More aid to high schools may have some merit, Mitchem says, but Congress should not fund it at the expense of TRIO programs with a successful 40-year track record. He told Black Issues one possible silver lining in this battle is that now more lawmakers recognize the importance of Upward Bound and Talent Search.
