Robust Federal Education Funding Necessary for Strong Economy; Republican Cuts Detrimental, Sec. Duncan Tells House Education Committee
WASHINGTON—The federal government must invest in our nation’s schools to grow our economy and support students, rather than slashing education funding as congressional Republicans propose, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told the House education committee today.
“I worry about the long-term impact of the continuing slide in federal education funding on the health of our economy and our democracy,” said Duncan, testifying before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about the Department of Education’s fiscal year 2015 budget. “Our 2015 budget reflects the president’s determination to make the investments necessary to secure America’s future prosperity.”
Duncan testified that the priorities of President Obama’s budget include: providing significant resources for early learning programs, such as preschool and Head Start, so all children are prepared to succeed in school and throughout life; making strategic investments in K-12 education that make our schools more equitable, rigorous, and attuned to students’ academic and non-academic needs; and keeping college accessible to, and affordable for, all Americans, especially low-income students and families.
“This hearing comes at a time when our parties are putting forth two very different visions for our nation’s education system,” said Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), senior Democrat on the committee. “On the one hand, my Republican colleagues have passed a draconian budget that guts resources for students and schools, putting sequestration back in place and slashing education funding even further. On the other, President Obama has proposed greater investment in our nation’s schools because he recognizes that education leads to better jobs and a more competitive workforce.”
The House GOP’s budget—also known as the Ryan budget—would gut resources for education to levels far below sequestration, harming students, undermining job creation, and stymying economic growth. The Ryan budget’s cuts to education spending will hamper efforts to close achievement gaps, support student success, and increase high school graduation and college completion rates. Furthermore, it will stifle innovation in education by reducing funds for scientific research.
“We heard a lot from the Republicans during today’s hearing about prioritizing—which, in amendment after amendment from them, seems to mean cutting funding from one program to provide money for another,” said Miller. “They’re always playing one shortage in education against another, rather than fighting for the funding our students deserve. We hear lots of rhetoric on Republican elected officials’ support for special education, for example, but when the vote comes, they’re never there. I’m glad to see that the administration’s budget adds funding for special education, but it remains to be seen whether Congress follows through. Thus far, all we’ve seen is that tax cuts for the largest, wealthiest businesses in the country don’t need to be paid for, but if you need the money for special education, you have to pay for it.”
Miller and fellow committee Democrats believe that education is the key to economic opportunity. To maintain the country’s commitment to equity for all students and ensure access to good jobs, Democrats on the committee will continue to push for greater investment in early childhood education; support for quality elementary and secondary schools; and increasing access to, and the quality of, higher education.
“We in the federal government should be helping students and schools, not cutting them off at the knees,” said Miller. “Instead of doubling down on austerity, it’s time for Congress to get back into the business of partnering with states and districts to support our schools.”
Next Article