Quality public education is fundamental to democracy. Its underfunding reveals a
grave distortion of values and priorities.
For fiscal year 2006, Congress authorized No Child Left Behind (NCLB) funding at
$36.7 billion, but the Bush Administration budget was for $23.6 billion, a
$13.1 billion shortfall. Cumulative underfunding of NCLB below levels promised on
passage is now approaching $40 billion. IDEA programs for children with disabilities
and Title I assistance are also well below necessary and promised levels. Our children
are our future and it is hard to imagine more shortsighted policies.
In addition, particularly with our public schools in such dire financial straits,
Congress should oppose all schemes to siphon off resources. Vouchers not only divert
taxpayer dollars from public schools, but also tend to undermine diversity in public
schools and subvert principles of separation of church and state. I would have voted
against the School Voucher Amendment to the District of Columbia Appropriations
Act (which passed in the House of Representatives by just two votes and failed to be
reversed by an even vote) and against the two voucher amendments to the Improving
Education for Children With Disabilities Act (both of which, fortunately, failed to pass).
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