A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 1999

Contact:
Erica Lepping
(202) 401-3026

STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY
"Across-the-Board Cuts Would Hurt Students and Schools"

The Republican proposal in Congress for an across-the-board cut of 1.4 percent in federal investment in education is a short-sighted plan that would penalize our students and schools. Once again the Republican leadership is trying to weaken public education. One day it's vouchers, another day it's an across-the-board cut. At a time when we ought to be preparing all of our young people for the challenges of this Education Era, this proposal would represent a significant step backward.

Based on a 1.4 percent cut, the Republican plan slashes critical resources to schools, below the President's request, including: some $300 million less in funds to serve disadvantaged youth with extra help in learning basic skills; another $300 million less in after-school funds to provide students with a safe haven for learning after the school doors close; some $30 million cut from programs to help young children learn to read; and, about $13 million less in work-study assistance depended on by many students heading to college. The 1.4 percent cut, standing alone, would result in a denial of key education services to more than 168,000 disadvantaged students in high-poverty areas.

I am especially troubled that the Republican plan guts last year's bipartisan commitment to hire 100,000 teachers to reduce class size in the early grades, a program that is working in schools all across the country right now. Further, the Republican plan doesn't fund even a penny toward the President's $200 million request to increase accountability and turn around low-performing schools.

I urge the Congress to get on track and, within a fiscally responsible framework, fully fund the President's plan to improve education.

###