This
page was printed from the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Web site at www.paaflcio.org.
For more information about the information in this document contact:September 21, 2004
Bush/Cheney Education Funding Leaves Pennsylvania School Students Behind
Harrisburg, PA -- President Bush’s “Focus on Education” event in King of Prussia tomorrow should not just be a photo opportunity or a “feel good” discussion. The President should be asked about how his plans to eliminate crucial funds for educational improvements will affect students throughout Pennsylvania.
President Bush has proposed the following cuts in funding for Pennsylvania:
- Bush’s 2005 budget plan is to cut nearly $6 million from Head Start in Pennsylvania, leaving 1,288 children out.
- Pennsylvania schools need $8.47 billion for repairs and modernization, but Bush eliminated the school renovation grant program and didn’t include a dime for school modernization and repairs in his budget.
- Bush’s budget is short more than $250 million on the promise to poor children in Pennsylvania, preventing 83,308 children from getting the help they need to succeed.
- The President’s plan for education cuts next year would reduce Teacher Quality grants by $2.9 million, preventing schools in Pennsylvania from hiring another 91 new teachers in 2006 alone.
- Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that is slated for a 10 percent cut in federal education funds under Title I, unless Bush and Congress allocate more money for education.
While President Bush has named his education reforms, “No Child Left Behind” they are in name only because his budget cuts leave thousands of Pennsylvania children behind.