EdVANTAGE Blog

Today’s New York Times presents an editorial supporting federal stimulus funds for schools.

The Times endorses the House version of the education package over the Senate’s, chiefly because the House would place more restrictions on how states could use the funds.

The editorial explains that the package would direct $140 billion to schools and more than double the U.S. Education Department’s discretionary budget.

Our national affiliate, the American Association of School Administrators offers a summary.

Estimates from the Congressional Research Service indicate that the House plan could provide more than $3 billion in operating funds over each of the next two years to support schools and colleges in New York State,  Also, $1.2 billion would be provided for school construction, modernization, and repair.

New York State allocations under the Senate bill have not been published, but nationwide appropriations for specific programs are nearly identical, suggesting New York wiould realize a similar benefit.

Some of the additional funds would be restricted in their use, but most would be provided with the aim of enabling the state to maintain aid levels and to permit schools to avoid layoffs and program reductions.

leaders of the U.S. Senate acknowledged yesterday that they do not have the votes to pass the stimulus plan in its present form.  Some reductions and restructuring are likely.  But the final plan seems virtually certain to prioritize education funding.