Black Issues in Higher Education: Washington Update

Congress Approves $17 Billion In Higher Ed Budget Cuts

The Republican Congress in late March approved a budget plan that many critics say will force major cutbacks in higher education spending during the next five to 10 years.

The long-range GOP plan would cut nearly $17 billion from the federal budget for higher education and social services for the next five years -- increasing the likelihood for cuts in popular programs such as Pell Grants and Head Start, Democratic critics say. The cuts would help finance a major tax cut estimated at $800 billion.

Worse yet, say some, the budget may pit higher education against elementary and secondary education, which currently has more support among congressional leaders. Cuts would begin in fiscal year 2000, when education programs outside the elementary/secondary arena would face cuts of nearly 6 percent.

"Their budget is like playing Russian roulette with our nation's future," says Rep. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).

Republicans counter that they are providing some budget growth for many vital programs, though most are in the K-12 area. According to GOP budget documents, funding for K-12 services would increase from $16.8 billion this year to $25.9 billion by 2003.

However, the overall federal budget for other education programs, plus human services, would fall from $44 billion this year to $41 billion in 2002 before it would begin to rise again.

The House approved its budget plan by a narrow margin after Republicans rejected a Democratic alternative that contained greater support for higher education. That alternative would have provided an extra $10 billion for education from 2000 through 2004, with all sectors receiving new funds.

"The Democratic budget invests in higher education so that everyone who earns a place in college can go to college," Menendez says.

In the Senate, the GOP plan passed by a 55-45 vote after members rejected a Democratic plan to reduce the size of the tax cut and add more funds for education and other domestic programs. The plan from Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) would have eliminated 20 percent of the proposed tax cut and freed up $43 billion for education, employment and human service programs. Democrats did win one Senate victory, getting support to add $5 billion to help low-income families find childcare.

Some Republicans also joined Democrats in a "sense of the Senate" resolution encouraging more money for student aid programs. The proposal from Sens. Kennedy, Susan Collins (R-Maine), and other education advocates, recommended a $400 increase in the maximum Pell Grant, up from $125 in the president's year 2000 budget.

The Collins-Kennedy resolution also sought an extra $100 million for TRIO programs, $64 million for college work/study and $35 million for Perkins Loans. These proposals all are among the recommendations sought by the Student Aid Alliance, a partnership of various higher education associations.

But the Collins-Kennedy recommendations are not binding, and some advocates for students expressed disappointment with the overall outcome.

"The message contained in the budget resolution is crystal clear," says a Children's Defense Fund analysis. "Children are just not a priority."

Ed-Flex Has Become Congress' Flavor of the Month

When it comes to education on Capitol Hill, the buzz word of the moment is "ed-flex." But many differ on whether this reform effort will yield results.

House and Senate GOP leaders want swift enactment of ed-flex, under which all states could receive flexibility in how they interpret federal rules and regulations governing education programs, mostly in the K-12 arena. Currently, only a dozen states have ed-flex power, and the new plan would extend that option to all states.

"This bill cuts the strings that keep our children from a better education," says Rep. William Goodling (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Goodling says the plan is particularly important for low-income children, since states and localities could replace an underperforming federal program with "a program that works."

Democrats and White House officials say they agree with the bill but want some type of accountability as part of this process. However, Republicans defeated a Democratic House amendment in which states would need to set specific standards before getting their ed-flex rights.

In the Senate, Democrats tried to insert many of President Bill Clinton's favorite initiatives -- teacher-hiring funds, after-school grants, and dropout prevention -- into the ed-flex package, but Republicans defeated these amendments.

Both the House and Senate approved ed-flex bills, but they differ on a few issues that will require a House/Senate conference this spring.

Despite Disappointment, Education Goals Still Touted

The nation has yet to meet the national education goals set back in 1989, but most elected officials want to keep trying.

The National Education Goals Panel, which includes many governors and members of Congress, has voted to continue working toward eight goals originally scheduled for attainment by the year 2000. The goals include increased access to postsecondary education, higher graduation rates, safe schools, and high achievement in core subjects.

Supporters of the move say a continued effort will show local schools that the nation is serious about improving education.

"Have these goals given us worthwhile targets to aspire to? Do they set out clear objectives that parents, educators, and everyone else-who cares about children agree are important?" asked Gov. James Hunt (D-N.C.). "The answer to all these questions is yes."

States have used the goals to reform education, governors say. In particular, the program has helped increase attention on early childhood education and build support for the academic standards movement.