For More Information:
NEA Communications 202 822-7200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 1999
NEA President Expresses Concern Over 'Modest' Increase For Education in President Clinton's Budget Proposal
National Education Association (NEA) President Bob Chase released the following statement today in response to President Clinton's proposed budget for FY2000:
"While we share in President Clinton's overall vision for public education, NEA and its members are concerned about what we see as only modest increases in education funding in his FY2000 budget.
"An overall increase of less than four percent just doesn't go far enough to respond to public demand and growing pressures on our public schools to improve. Thanks to a healthy surplus and a robust economy, we now have a unique opportunity to address the educational priorities that the American people have clearly articulated.
"We are encouraged with the President's proposals to invest in smaller class sizes, modern schools, after-school programs, Head Start, Title I, and magnet schools. NEA has always applauded President Clinton's consistently positive vision of strong public education for America, most recently in his State of the Union address. We genuinely appreciate the priority he places on programs that will make a difference for our students.
"At the same time, we believe Congress can and should amplify on the President's proposals, while also addressing programs that the administration has chosen to freeze, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and vocational education. Even though we are disappointed in several of the President's funding proposals, they certainly set the table for what should be a lively and productive debate over federal policy and funding for K-12 and higher education. "Three months ago, candidates across America were elected to Congress in large measure because they supported small class sizes, modern schools, early childhood education, and expanding aid for college students.
"These are issues NEA strongly supports, and President Clinton's proposal puts them all up for debate. In each of the last three budget cycles, Congress has worked to provide even more funding than the president requested in his budget proposals, and we hope that trend continues for a fourth year.
"We look forward to working with the President and the 106th Congress to provide appropriate resources to increase student achievement and to provide quality teachers, small class sizes, and modern schools for all of our students. The American public wants these things, and America now has the wherewithal to provide them. There should be no higher priority than the education of our children."
