“Won’t we be robbing Peter to pay for Pell?” asked Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Ill.
Several Republicans joined in criticizing the administration’s proposal. “I don’t take this budget seriously, and it’s hard to defend it,” said Rep. Michael Simpson, R-Idaho. He said federal programs are placing mandates on states in special education and K-12 reform without sufficient funds, particularly for rural areas.
A proposed $5 million cut in funding for tribal colleges also drew criticism from Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M. Citing high unemployment on Indian reservations, Udall said the 20 percent funding cut would cause serious harm.
“I don’t understand the thinking behind this,” he said. “If we have a major problem with Native American employment, why aren’t we funding programs that can make a difference?”
Lee also called for more action to combat the high dropout rates among African American males. “I don’t see anything targeted here for dropout prevention,” she said.
Spellings countered that the plan seeks more money through Title I to focus on high schools, which often are shortchanged through the program. “Our high schools are not making the grade,” she noted.
Yet Udall said states and schools are getting far less than many envisioned under the No Child Left Behind Act. “I don’t see you putting in the type of resources that will make a difference,” he added.
After a series of hearings, the subcommittee will write a fiscal 2008 education spending bill later this year.
--Charles Dervarics
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
