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Contact: Vincent M. Perez
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Democratic Lawmakers Denounce Perry’s plan to cut Over $260 million for Texas school children
Perry's efforts to target Texas education funding reaffirms need to protect federal funds for schools
Washington,
Sep 29 -
Science labs and textbooks singled out for cuts days after National Academies report finds STEM education deteriorating
Texas Democratic Representatives today denounced Governor Rick Perry’s plan to cut over $260 million from the Texas education budget for schools. Perry’s plans include proposed cuts to science labs and science textbooks and were reported days after the National Academies released findings noting that science and math education has continued to deteriorate across the country and causing America to lose its competitive edge. Under Perry’s reign, Texas’ economic situation has turned dire and experts estimate an $18-$21 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year.
“While the Texas Congressional Democratic delegation is fighting to provide $830 million in emergency resources for our schools, Rick Perry is showing once again that he cannot be trusted to make the right decisions,” said Congressman Silvestre Reyes. “Certainly tough choices must be made in the coming years to get the state out of the hole that Perry put us in, but, he is showing poor judgment by placing science textbooks and laboratories on the chopping block. His plans are especially disappointing as they come after warnings from national experts that science and math education is deteriorating.”
“Right now is the time for the United States to stay ahead when it comes to global competitiveness,” said Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. “It is outrageous and a huge step backwards for science labs and science text books to be cut from our public schools in Texas. This week in my district, the University of Texas-Pan American is hosting HESTEC. It is a week long focus on the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics where our students are encouraged to seek careers in these necessary fields. At the Congressional Roundtable yesterday, every speaker talked about the aging engineering and scientific workforce and the need to create a pipeline of new workers in the STEM fields. By cutting back on STEM education, Texas is jeopardizing our children’s ability to get these high-paying jobs and compete with their peers in other states and around the world.”
“We cannot continue to cut funding for STEM education and expect our students to be college and career ready. If America is to remain competitive in the global economy, we must provide all students access to the rigorous curriculum and resources necessary to succeed. These cuts represent a disservice to millions of Texas students and a disservice to America,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
“It is unclear when Perry will stop playing politics with our children’s education. The process for accepting additional funds to cover his education budget shortfall is very clear and he still refuses to put our children’s interest over his own political game,” said Congressman Gene Green.
Representatives Reyes, Hinojosa, and Johnson are co-founders of the Diversity and Innovation Caucus in the House of Representatives. Representative Green is a senior member. The caucus, which has 64 members, was formed in 2007 to support increased opportunities for under-represented minorities in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act of 2010 signed into law on August 10, 2010, is estimated to send Texas schools around $830 million dollars. All Congressional Republicans voted against the providing funds to schools. The bill includes language authored by the Texas Democratic delegation that protects funds from being siphoned off and used for other purposes by state politicians. The language requires that Texas do two things: 1) Distribute the funds using the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s Title I, Part A funding formula; and, 2) Provide assurances that Texas will not disproportionately single out education for budget cuts in years 2011, 2012, and 2013. This language is key to ensuring funds for Texas are not diverted for other purposes, like propping up the rainy day fund. It also ensures that schools are not punished through cuts in the state education budget in subsequent years for accepting federal aid.
The Texas protection language was requested by over 40 superintendents and seven major education organizations across the State including the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, Texas Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas State Teachers Association, Association for Texas Professional Educators, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, and Texas Association of School Administrators.
On September 3, 2010, Governor Perry submitted an altered application to the Department of Education that refuses to assure schools that he will not punish them in future years for accepting federal aid. The Department of Education rejected the altered application and in response, Governor Perry filed a lawsuit on September 23, 2010. The Department of Education has noted that they will continue to work with Governor Perry so he is able to submit an application that meets the requirements of the law.
The funds allotted for Texas can be used to pay for eligible obligations incurred by schools between August 10, 2010 through September 30, 2012 and the Department will hold the funds until Texas submits an approvable application. The three-page application for the Education Jobs Fund can be found here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/educationjobsfund/applicant.html. A copy of the latest National Academies report Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5 can be found at : http://www.nap.edu.
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