Major Education Victories in Economic Recovery Package!

The economic recovery package under consideration in the House of Representatives shows major victories for public education.  The proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill includes significant increased investments in education, including all the areas NEA urged Congress to include.  These victories would not have been possible without your assistance and your dedication in educating Members of Congress about the great need for such investments.

The proposal specifically includes:

• $41 billion to local school districts through Title I ($13 billion), IDEA ($13 billion), a new School Modernization and Repair Program ($14 billion), and the Education Technology program ($1 billion).

• $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas, $15 billion to states as bonus grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures, and $25 billion to states for other high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.

• $15.6 billion to increase the Pell Grant by $500.

• $6 billion for higher education modernization.

In addition, the tax portion of the economic recovery package is expected to include $21 billion in school modernization through tax credits on school construction bonds. 

The package also includes critical increases in health care, nutrition assistance, and unemployment insurance, all of which were included in NEA’s requests to Congress. 

The package appears to increase funding for the NEA-opposed Teacher Incentive Fund by providing “$200 million for competitive grants to school districts and states to provide financial incentives for teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gaps in high-need schools and $100 million for competitive grants to states to address teacher shortages and modernize the teaching workforce.”  Look for updates from NEA and NEA-NH as further details become available. 

Even though we are very pleased with the proposed package, we must keep in mind that considerable work will be required both to get it passed in the House and to ensure that the Senate package includes similar investments.  The House Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees are expected to “mark-up” the pieces under their jurisdiction next week.  We will be calling on you at that time to contact your Members of Congress, particularly those who serve on these committees, as well as to urge your state legislators and governors to weigh in with Congress in support of the package.  

The proposed package reflects your hard work in urging your Members of Congress to craft a package that addresses the urgent issues facing your states and communities.  We thank all of you for your continuing efforts on these issues.