House Passes Budget Measure

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution in early May that added $7.1 billion to the fiscal year 2006-2007 budget for labor, education and healthcare.

The National School Boards Association opposes the resolution because it would not restore education funding cuts made in 2006, nor provide sufficient funding for special education or for Title 1, the nation’s largest federal education aid program.  Title 1 grants are geared toward improving teaching and learning in poverty-stricken schools.

NSBA is recommending an increase of at least $2.5 billion for Title 1, and another $2.5 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA).

Hurricane Relief OK’d

The Senate last month approved H.R. 4939, adding $650 million in aid to help schools pay for education services provided to students displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The measure, however, goes back to the House of Representatives, which may make cuts.