MODERN SCHOOLS

Leadership Punts on H.R.7 - Vote Delayed

Congress heard the message! The H.R.7 vote scheduled for March 30 is now on hold. Congress has a clear choice and a clear message from voters: invest tax dollars in safe, modern schools, not in tax favors for the few. With support for safe, modern schools growing, the House Leadership was forced to pull the bill.

Advocates for children and public education won the day, but the issue is not put to rest yet.

1. Tuition tax-subsidy schemes top the Congressional Leadership's agenda. The K-12 nonpublic school tuition tax subsidies (called Education Savings Accounts or ESAs) in H.R. 7 would cost taxpayers an estimated $5.057 billion, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. NEA opposes these voucher-like proposals.

2. A bipartisan House majority supports legislation that would help states and local districts repair and modernize schools. But the Leadership won't allow the measure to get to the floor.

3. Taxpayers and voters have sent a clear message in public opinion polls: invest tax dollars in safe, modern schools, not in tax subsidies for nonpublic schools.

Fifteen Minute Activist

Keep the pressure on Congress to support school modernization! Urge your Representative [www.nea.org/lac/modern] to --

• sign on to the bipartisan Johnson/Rangel (Representatives Nancy Johnson, R-CT and Charles Rangel, D-NY) school construction bill, H.R. 4094, as a cosponsor.

• support the Johnson/Rangel motion to substitute the bipartisan school construction language and to oppose "Education Savings Accounts," i.e., K-12 nonpublic school tuition tax subsidies.

Note! New on the NEA Legislative Action Center

• Current cosponsors of the bipartisan Johnson-Rangel School Construction Bill [www.nea.org/lac/modern]

• Myths and Facts on Education Savings Accounts [www.nea.org/lac/ESA]

Modern Schools - Better Learning

More than 14 million children attend schools in need of extensive repairs. The average school building is 42 years old. H.R. 4094, the bipartisan Johnson-Rangel school construction bill, would give states and local communities access to interest-free bonds for school repair, modernization and construction.

What would it take to make your school ready for 21st century students?
** Send us your personal stories. We'll share them with Congress and post them on our web site [www.nea.org/lac/modern]. Send your stories and photos to:

FY2001 -- EDUCATION FUNDING DOESN'T
MEASURE UP

The Senate Budget Committee's Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 budget plan -- interrupted earlier by a family feud in the Senate Budget Committee -- goes before the full Senate this week. The Senate committee proposal -- like the FY 2001 Budget Plan that narrowly passed the House -- provides a substantial increase for special education, but at the expense of other vital programs, including class size reduction, professional development, technology programs and Title I. Neither the House plan nor the Senate proposal measure up for children and public education.

NEA strongly supports the increase in special education funding, but cannot support virtually level funding for other programs benefiting students with disabilities and also other students in need. The FY 2001 education budget affects the 2000-2001 school year. www.nea.org/lac/funding

GUN SAFETY -- IS ESEA A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY?

The first step in ensuring school safety is to restrict youth access to guns. We owe common-sense gun safety laws to the students of Flint, Springfield, Edinboro, Jonesboro, West Paducah, Pearl, Bethel, Moses Lake, Littleton, Conyers, Mt. Morris Township, and children in every community and school -- and to their families and the school employees in whose care they are placed. But Congress continues to stall.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) may offer Congress an opportunity to do the right thing. This sweeping education act includes several titles where gun safety language would be germane, such as the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act and the Gun-Free Schools Act. Watch for updates when the House Education, Health and Human Services and Labor Committee resumes work on ESEA this month.

03/24/00
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News from Capitol Hill...

CONGRESS HAS A CLEAR CHOICE -- INVEST IN CHILDREN OR IN TAX FAVORS FOR THE FEW

House to vote on K-12 nonpublic school tuition Tax Plan

K-12 nonpublic school tuition tax schemes top the Congressional Leadership's agenda. A House vote on H.7, a tax bill that includes K-12 nonpublic school tuition tax credits (called ESA's), is likely next Thursday, March 30. H. 7 passed the House Ways and Means Committee at mid-week (March 22). The Senate recently passed a similar bill (S. 1134). The cost to taxpayers totals an estimated $5.057 billion, reports the Joint Committee on Taxation. NEA opposes these voucher-like tax plans.

America's taxpayers and voters want tax dollars invested in safe, modern schools, not in tax plans for nonpublic schools, pollsters across the political spectrum confirm. Representative Charles Rangel (NY) plans to introduce a motion to recommit the bill for the purpose of substituting a school modernization proposal that uses tax dollars to benefit America's public schools and students.

The Fifteen-Minute Activist - You can Help NEA make the case:

Urge your Representative to choose children and invest taxpayer dollars in safe, modern, well-equipped public schools, not in tax favors for the few, by

Make clear that Congress has a choice and that you attach great importance to this vote! www.nea.org/lac

MODERN SCHOOLS -- BETTER LEARNING

A bipartisan push in the House promises help for students in aging and overcrowded schools. On Wednesday, March 21, House sponsors of competing school modernization proposals - Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT) – announced agreement on a compromise bill, America's Better Classrooms Act. NEA is urging all House members to cosponsor this bipartisan compromise.

The Rangel/Johnson bill gives states and local communities access to interest-free bonds for school repair, renovation and construction. In lieu of interest, bondholders receive federal tax credits - a major saving for states and local communities. All decisions regarding school repair and construction are left to the states and local communities.

More than 14 million children attend schools in need of extensive repairs, the nonpartisan General Accounting Office (GAO) reports. A recent NEA study puts the "unmet need" for school facilities at $254 billion. This federal/state/local partnership would enable states and local communities to meet school repair and building needs with dramatic savings.

Send us your personal stories. Tell us about conditions in your school and what it would take to make your school ready for 21st century students. Send your stories and photos to:

We'll share them with Congress and post them on our Modern Schools web site at http://www.nea.org/lac/modern.

It's hard to foster 21st Century dreams in 19th century surroundings.

A BUDGET PLAN THAT DOESN'T MEASURE UP

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 Budget Plan squeaked through the House shortly after midnight today (Friday, March 24) by a vote of 211-207. The FY 2001 education budget affects the 2000-2001 school year. The House plan doesn’t measure up for children and public education, NEA told lawmakers.

The budget plan would provide a substantial increase for special education, but at the expense of other vital programs, including class size reduction, professional development, technology programs and Title I. Head Start and college student aid would receive no increase.

NEA strongly supports the increase in special education funding, but cannot support virtually level funding for other programs benefiting students with disabilities and also other students in need. www.nea.org/lac/funding

[Note: Senate Gridlock - An in-family argument has stopped the Senate Budget Committee cold. A faction led by committee member Senator Phil Gramm (TX) wants more cuts. Committee action is now postponed indefinitely.]

03/17/00
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News from Capitol Hill...

ABOUT DOLLARS AND SENSE

This week, the House Budget Committee approved the Budget Resolution, i.e., the spending plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2001. The FY 2001 education budget affects the 2000-2001 school year. Investing in education is good sense. The House committee Budget Resolution doesn't measure up.

The Bottom Line: The committee proposed dramatically less than the President's proposed national investment in education. The President's education plan gives a high priority to wiring classrooms for the Internet, hiring more teachers to reduce class size in the early grades, relieving overcrowding in our schools and modernizing aging schoolhouses, and making college more affordable. "As we demand more than ever from our schools, he said, "we should invest more than ever in our schools."

IDEA and Education Spending: States are looking to Congress to honor its commitment to fund 40 percent of the added cost of services for special needs students - but not with core education program funds - "robbing Peter to pay Paul." The committee modestly increased spending for education programs - $2.2 billion above a freeze. $2 billion would be factored out for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), leaving only $200 million for all other elementary and secondary programs. Head Start and college student aid would receive no increase.

The Budget, Standards, and Accountability: Standards and accountability are "buzz words" of school reform. "There is a right way and a wrong way to approach standards," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said. "We need to make sure that children and teachers are getting the support they need to reach for high standards and that is why the investments in this budget are so important."

The budget is the measure of our commitment to students and learning. The full House is expected to consider the Budget Resolution on the floor next week. Representative John Spratt (SC) is expected to offer a substitute that would include increased investments in education. Urge your Representative to vote against the Budget Committee's bill and for an increased education investment. [http://www.nea.org/lac]

MAKING SENSE OF THE WEEKS AHEAD [Visit our Guide to the Legislative Process]

The budget process began in January, when the President submitted his budget requests to Congress. The ball is now in Congress' court. Congress first adopts a spending plan, the Budget Resolution. The Budget Resolution serves as a blueprint and establishes limits within which spending must fit. That's why it sets off heated debate. Approving the actual funding for programs comes later. The Senate, following the House lead, begins work on the Budget Resolution for FY2001 the week of March 20.

MODERN SCHOOLS - BETTER LEARNING

The President has raised the stakes in the school modernization fight by making the issue a top priority in his budget message. Many children attend schools that are overcrowded, in need of repair, or both. Many classrooms can not support the tools of modern technology required to prepare students for the future.

A bipartisan majority of 237 in the US House of Representatives wants Congress to partner with states and local communities to build and modernize schools. The legislation would use federal tax credits to pay the interest on school construction bonds. Since interest payments can amount to as much as half the value of the principal on a 15-year bond, this partnership would enable states and local communities to undertake needed repair, renovation, and construction at a much lesser cost. But the Congressional leadership won't let the proposals come to the floor for a vote.

The Fifteen-Minute Activist: It's hard to foster 21st Century dreams in 19th century surroundings. Help NEA make the case. Send us your personal stories. Tell us about the conditions in your school and what it would take to make your school ready for 21st Century students. Send your stories and photos to:

We'll share them with Congress and post them on our Modern Schools web site at http://www.nea.org/lac/modern.

VOUCHERING (by whatever name …)

In early April, the so-called "Straight A's" bill is expected to come before the full Senate. The "Straight A's" proposals would allow some states to receive funding for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs in a lump sum directed by the governor. Governors could choose to spend the funds for private school vouchers, the proposal's sponsor, Senator Judd Gregg (NH), acknowledged. The proposal is embedded in S. 2 - a bill to reauthorize ESEA - that passed out of committee in early March. The House has already passed a similar proposal (H.R. 2300).

"We strongly oppose this complete dismantling of successful federal programs, NEA told senators. This week, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) (state superintendents), during a legislative conference in Washington DC, urged its members to lobby hard against "Straight A's." CCSSO Director Gordon Ambach warned that unless education funding is targeted toward specific purposes and goals, it will lose the support of both Congress and the American public." Urge your United States Senators to oppose S. 2 in its current form. (www.nea.org/lac/esea/)

NEWS NOTE: Bipartisan Group Revives Rural Caucus - Visit our rural page at [http://www.nea.org/schools/rural]

03/10/00
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News from Capitol Hill...

A VOUCHER BY ANY NAME…

Senate voucher proponents revved up their engines again this week. The Senate last week approved S.1134 (Coverdell bill) that provides voucher-like tax savings for K-12 private and religious school tuition. This week’s vehicle of choice [no pun intended!], the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

THE WEEK'S SENATE STORY…

"The Great ESEA Debate" - Voucher-Like Amendments and Party-Line votes - ESEA reauthorization (S.2) passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) with voucher-like block grant and Title I "portability" amendments. S.2 is expected to reach the Senate floor in early April.

No single bill better reflects the differing education agendas than the massive S.2. ESEA includes Title I, Eisenhower Professional Development grants, class size reduction, reading initiatives, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, and more – some 42 programs in all. These programs work together to support more effective schools. Every year, Congress decides whether, and at what level, to fund each program. This year, Congress will also decide ("reauthorization") whether to continue, amend, or abolish ESEA programs, or roll them into block grants.

"Straight A's" - Sen. Judd Gregg's (R-NH) block grant amendment, popularly known as 'Straight A's,' allows up to 15 states to roll together billions of dollars previously earmarked for Title I, professional development, class size reduction, education technology, and rural education. The Straight A's block grant proposal, in effect, dismantles successful federally funded programs. "Straight A's" shifts decision-making from local schools to Governors who could decide, as Sen. Gregg acknowledged, to spend funds on vouchers, or just on charter schools, or private and religious schools. NEA strongly opposes the Straight A's block grant proposal.

"Portability" - "Voucherizing" Title I - Sen. Gregg's Title I proposal allows up to 10 states and 20 school districts to assign federal aid for disadvantaged students directly to the individual students. Parents would have the option of directing the school to continue spending their student's money, as it currently does, or using the money for other qualified services, including services from private schools. NEA strongly opposes the use of Title I funds for private or religious school vouchers and "portability" plans that undermine the effectiveness of Title I, severely diluting the funding received by high-poverty schools.

"NO" on School Improvement - In a series of party-line votes, the committee rejected amendments focused on school improvement, including: a Murray (WA)amendment to fund the third installment of new teachers for class size reduction; a Kennedy (MA) amendment to earmark funds for professional development; and a Harkin (IA) amendment to provide grants and loans for repairing school buildings.

VOUCHER PROPONENTS IN THE HOUSE

Voucher-Like ESEA Proposals - While the Senate crafted a single ESEA bill and wove in voucher-like proposals by amendment, the House strategy dismantled ESEA as an integrated whole whose parts work together, and divided the programs into several bills. House members voted to reauthorize Title I, bilingual, rural, gifted and talented, migrant, and homeless student programs. The House-passed bill does not include Title I "portability." The House did pass "Straight A's" as a state pilot. House members rolled the Eisenhower Professional Development and class size reduction programs into a block grant that carries no guarantee the funds would be spent on either of these programs. The funds, directed by state governors, could be earmarked for vouchers. Still another bill recommends Impact Aid to districts impacted by federal activity and the Even Start Family Literacy Program, both part of the ESEA safety net. The committee added a new provision, allowing religious entities to receive federal funds for Even Start family literacy services. NEA is studying the effects of this provision.

Voucher-Like Tax Savings: The House is expected to consider the voucher-like tuition tax savings bill later this year.

THE 15 MINUTE ACTIVIST

The Senate is expected to consider S.2 in early April. Your stories about school needs are powerful messages! Tell your story via our web site at www.nea.org/lac/esea and urge your U.S. Senators to:

TAKE IT FROM AN EXPERT!

Jeffrey Chin, a 19-year teaching veteran from Modesto, California brought expert counsel to a House education committee this week. Chin teaches computer literacy and spent a decade training other teachers. 21st century schools, he told committee members, demand more than hardware. Effective programs require technology training for teachers and ready access to a support network; thoughtful integration of instructional technology into the curriculum; schools retrofitted for technology; and continued support for the federal telecommunications discount program [E-rate]. And he reminded lawmakers that teachers must be heard in the planning. About hardware, Chin noted that students need access to modern computers, not remnants of yesteryear.

Perhaps most important of all, Chin’s stories of what students – even elementary students – can do and are doing using technology gave committee members a reason to invest in 21st century schools. Read his testimony here.

03/03/00
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News from Capitol Hill...

THE AFFORDABLE EDUCATION ACT (S. 1134)

The Education Savings Account scheme proposed by Senator Coverdell of Georgia – which NEA opposed – in the Affordable Education Act (S.1134) passed on the Senate floor last night, March 2, by a vote of 61 to 37. The act allows families to use federal tax dollars for K-12 private and religious school tuition and related expenses.

If it sounds too good to be true…
The Affordable Education Act is a bad idea – bad education policy and bad tax policy. The bill diverts revenue away from public schools, where the vast majority of our children are. It does nothing to reduce class size, relieve school overcrowding, help recruit and retain quality educators, and help students achieve high standards.

Further, the bill disproportionately benefits the most affluent families, while providing little benefit to lower- and middle-income families. Senator Boxer of California put it best. “Only the wealthiest people will be able to do this,” she said. “We are not doing a thing to help the average person.”

Many Senators championed the cause of all children and public education by offering amendments to the bill during the floor activity.

These amendments failed to pass.

Thankfully, President Clinton has promised to veto the bill if it ever reaches his desk. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives. We’ll continue to keep you posted on its progress.

THE GREAT ESEA DEBATE CONTINUES

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) took up the Senate Elementary and Secondary Education bill this week. Although the draft before the committee included good provisions for programs such as Title I and bilingual education, NEA is opposing this bill. The so-called "Straight A's" plan - now included in the committee draft - would allow governors to block grant virtually all federal education programs in their states. The result: states could abandon targeting resources to high-need schools and, instead, direct federal funds to voucher programs.

The committee proposal eliminates the class size reduction program and guaranteed funding for Eisenhower Professional Development grants. These programs would be rolled into a block grant with no guarantee that any of the funds would be spent to reduce class size by hiring additional teachers or for professional development.

The Committee began their work on ESEA this week – on March 1st – with three hours of opening remarks. Committee leadership used their remarks to paint a poor picture of public education in America. The committee then adjourned until next Tuesday, March 7th. Now is our chance to let them know that ESEA should remain intact and targeted to the students and schools that need help the most.

THE FIFTEEN MINUTE ACTIVIST

Continue to contact your Senators! Through your U.S. Senators, urge the Senate HELP committee to:

For more information on ESEA and to send a message to your Senators, visit our ESEA page at http://www.nea.org/lac/esea

UPDATE: PENSION OFFSET AND MINIMUM WAGE

The House passed a bill to repeal the Social Security "earnings limit," whereby individuals age 65-69 would be allowed to work without receiving reduced Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, Representative Jefferson of Louisiana was not permitted to offer his amendment – strongly supported by NEA – to modify the existing Social Security "pension offset" (that offsets Social Security benefits by two-thirds of any government pension). The offset hurts many government retirees and their surviving spouses.

The House is expected to vote next week on a bill introduced by Representatives Lazio of New York and Shimkus of Illinois to increase the minimum wage by 33 cents a year for the next three years (H.R.. 3081). Representative Sherwood of Pennsylvania is expected to offer a competing amendment, supported by NEA that accelerates the increase to 50 cents a year for the next two years. In a rare maneuver, the House will adopt whichever version of the bill earns the most votes. The vote on the Sherwood amendment will happen first. Urge your member of Congress to vote yes on the Sherwood amendment to H.R 3081 and no on the Lazio/Shimkus bill itself. The following members warrant special attention to vote yes on the Sherwood amendment. Representatives Gilchrest of Maryland, LaTourette of Ohio, Lucas of Kentucky, Ney of Ohio and Ramstad of Minnesota. http://www.nea.org/lac