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| Wilson highlights record education funding increases |
January 07, 2004 |
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Albuquerque, New Mexico — Congresswoman Heather Wilson met with teachers today to discuss the No Child Left Behind Act as that legislation celebrates its second birthday. Wilson, well-known in her district for her passion for education issues, says federal funding has almost doubled over the last five years. But Wilson says she will continue to work for education funding, high expectations of children, and well trained and supported teachers in the classroom.
“Thank you,” Wilson told teachers gathered in a school break area at APS’ Eisenhower Middle School. “You probably don’t hear that enough, and I want you to know that your students, their parents, and our community leaders, including me, appreciate what you do.”
“We have increased funding for education and given much more flexibility to local schools to decide how to use those funds. The law also puts the emphasis on results: what matters is that students learn. Not just “on average” but that every child gets the tools they need to succeed in life.”
Under the No Child Left Behind Act schools must assess the performance of all students, including low income students and minority students, and not just the student body on average. A large percentage of federal funds are for schools with high percentages of children growing up in poverty, but before the Act was in place there were no systematic assessments of whether the programs were narrowing the achievement gap between wealthy and disadvantaged students.
In fiscal year 2003, according to U.S. Department of Education figures, overall education funding for New Mexico increased to more than $494 million, an increase of more than $106 million since The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law. Included is an $8 million increase in Title I aid to help New Mexico’s disadvantaged students and schools.
“This year, we’ll continue to see a rise in federal commitment to education,” Wilson told teachers at Eisenhower. “But I think we should do more at the federal level to help our teachers and students close the achievement gap. I actually voted against the initial Education funding bill in the U.S. House last summer because I was concerned the bill didn’t do enough for education. That was especially true in Title I funding, which New Mexico relies upon heavily.”
For FY2004, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) estimates New Mexico will receive another significant increase in NCLB Title I funds under the fiscal year 2004 omnibus spending bill approved by the House on December 8, 2003. CRS projects New Mexico’s NCLB Title I funding allocation will increase from $103 million this year to $111 million next year under the omnibus bill – an increase of $8 million.
In exchange for unprecedented federal aid, the No Child Left Behind Act requires states to test public school students annually in reading and math in grades 3-8 and to show that achievement gaps are being narrowed between disadvantaged students and their peers. New Mexico was already implementing annual testing requirements before the Act was passed. When schools are identified by states as needing improvement, the NCLB law calls for extra help for both the school and the students attending the school.
New Mexico’s accountability plan was approved by federal officials in May this year, and Wilson says the state is well-positioned to track student achievement.
“New Mexico is at the forefront of accountability in our state’s classrooms,” says Wilson.
Wilson also highlighted areas that need improvement in our education system, including alternative certification for teachers and educational assistants so that highly qualified individuals with life experience can more easily join the teaching profession. “Getting course credits in rural New Mexico is difficult and we should make it easier for second career teachers – and even part time teachers -- to make the transition to the classroom.”
Wilson has supported and secured funds for the UNM Math and Science Teacher Training Academy and is the principal sponsor of legislation that would give tax credits to teachers who teach in low income neighborhoods. She has also introduced legislation to shift funds to education in the arts. “Every child should have art and music in school every week,” Wilson says.
Wilson was at Griegos Elementary two years ago as President George W. Bush signed the bi-partisan education reform bill on January 8, 2002. In August 2001, Bush visited Griegos on the first day of school to tout his proposed education plan.
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