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A report published by Tom Cole, Representative from Oklahoma's Fourth District. Published on Feb 14, 2006 in the American Chronicle.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=5844
An Education Report
By Congressman Tom Cole
February 14, 2006
Amidst the challenges and national priorities our country is juggling right now, one that won't be pushed aside is education. Education is a long term investment in the future of our state and our nation. It is something we should not take for granted.
The debt we owe to future generations is to make sure they have more opportunity than each generation before them. This includes ensuring they have the highest quality teachers, classroom tools and resources, installing the best curriculum and focusing on core areas such as math and science. We need to provide our children with clean and safe buildings in which to learn, efficient transportation to and from school and an overall education that is second to none. Our obligation does not end after high school. I am also committed to providing opportunities to those that might not otherwise be able to attend college and am a proponent of vocational and technical education.
Over the past three years, the Education Department's overall funding has increased by $13.2 billion. It has increased by 50 percent just over the past 5 years. Federal education funding in Oklahoma alone has grown to more than $635 million, which is an increase of $96 million over the last two years. Funding for the U.S. Department of Education has increased by nearly 150 percent, from $23 billion in FY 1996 to $57 billion in FY 2005--but simply spending more money is not the answer. I believe we must also focus on accountability, the quality of the programs we are funding and the results they are achieving.
The budget the President submitted to Congress this year once again redirected funding from TRIO, GEAR UP and Carl Perkins to new programs that have not proven their effectiveness. TRIO and GEAR UP are important programs that help students prepare for college. Both of these programs have made significant impact in lives of Oklahoma students. The Carl Perkins program provides funds to Oklahoma for vocational and technical education.
Funding for TRIO, GEAR Up and Carl Perkins was cut in the President's budget last year, but I was able to work with my colleagues to reverse this proposal. Early last year, I sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Labor, HHS and Education Subcommittee, that was signed by 167 members, urging them to continue funding these programs. Our efforts paid off.
In last year's funding bills, TRIO was funded at $836.54 million, which is $467 million above President's budget request. GEAR UP and Carl Perkins program were eliminated in the President's budget but were funded by Congress at $306.48 million and $1.3 billion, respectively.
This year, I will continue to do everything possible to make sure these programs receive funding now and in the future. I am also fighting an effort in the House that would essentially cut existing TRIO programs by ten percent. Another important program to Oklahomans is Impact Aid. I am pleased to report that this program was funded at the same level as last year in the President's budget, $1.228 billion.
We must make sure we are spending tax dollars wisely and getting results. I will continue to work in Congress this year to ensure we provide the resources to give our children a first-class education and ensure that higher education is an option available to everyone.
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