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| Education Funds Flow to New Mexico Today |
July 01, 2002 |
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| $439.3 Million Will Help State to Leave No Child Behind
Albuquerque, NM-Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced today that the funds approved by Congress and the President last year for public schools will start to flow to school districts around the country today.
“There is no magic bullet that will give us great schools,” says Wilson. “But we’re making tremendous progress with the Leave No Child Behind Act, funneling an additional $57 million into New Mexico and making key changes to how we do things. In addition, school districts will now have the flexibility to decide how to spend about half of that money, rather than having to get it all approved by bureaucrats in Washington D.C. That means that people who know your child’s name will be able to make more of the decisions about how to spend federal dollars. That’s a great improvement for education in New Mexico.”
In Albuquerque alone, public schools received $14,593,394 in Title I funding in FY 2001 and for FY 2002, Title I funding will go up to $17,358,475. That`s a $2,765,081 increase in money for disadvantaged students in the Albuquerque Public School District. The District is also getting $4,878,987 in non-Title I funding, including $3,408,632 in money to boost teacher quality. Under the 50-percent flexibility program, the district can transfer half of that $4.9 million (specifically, $2,439,943) between programs.
Throughout her time in Congress, Wilson has focused much of her efforts and attention on public education. She has visited over one hundred classrooms throughout her district to visit with students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Wilson also runs a high school internship program in her Albuquerque office where high school and college students learn office skills and customer service in a professional environment.
“Education continues to be my personal passion. It’s the reason I got into public life,” said Wilson. “We know that a good education can truly make a difference in the lives of our children. We know that math and science and reading are important for the jobs of the 21st century. We know that good teachers make a difference. I look forward to building on the progress we’ve already made.”
The No Child Left Behind Act is Good News for Children and Families in New Mexico:
Benefits an estimated 324,495 New Mexico public school children, 755 New Mexico public schools, and 20,078 New Mexico teachers
Increases federal education funding for New Mexico to more than $439.3 million to help local schools ensure that no child is left behind - more than $57 million more than last year, and a 31.4 percent increase over 2000 levels
Increases Title I funding to more than $94.9 million to boost the quality of education for disadvantaged children of New Mexico - nearly $20 million more than last year, and a 32.8 percent increase over 2000 levels
Provides more than $8.3 million in funding for Reading First to ensure that every public school child in New Mexico learns to read at or above grade level by the third grade
Requires every classroom in New Mexico to have a highly-qualified teacher and provides more than $22.8 million to train and retain skilled educators
Provides an estimated $3.6 million to help ensure safe and drug-free schools in New Mexico
Provides an estimated $2.3 million to fund after-school programs for at-risk children in New Mexico
Provides more than $4.4 million in funding to help New Mexico school districts assess how well children are learning and schools are teaching
Note: Funding figures are U.S. Department of Education estimates
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