States Sit on 5.7 Billion in Federal Education Funds
by
Suzanne Whitney, Research Editor, Wrightslaw
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We
continue to hear complaints that states and school districts cannot
afford to implement the programs required by No Child Left Behind
- and that all federal education programs are unfunded or underfunded.
Two
weeks ago, we learned that states returned millions in federal education
funds to the U.S. Treasury last year, and did not spend these funds
on education.
(Read States
Send Millions Back to Feds)
Now we learn that states are sitting on 5.7
billion dollars in federal education funds, including 1.7
billion for special education. Every state has millions
of unspent federal education dollars from 2000-2002.
| Federal
Program |
|
| Education
for the Disadvantaged (Title I) |
$1.9
billion
|
| Special
Education |
$1.7
billion
|
| School
Improvement Programs |
$1.7
billion
|
| Vocational
and Adult Education |
$292
million
|
| English
Language Acquisition |
$110
million
|
| Impact
Aid |
$14
million
|
| |
|
| Total
Funds Not Spent |
$5.7
billion
|
Source:
U.S. Department of Education Budget Services Office
State
Comparisons
Since states are complaining about the "burden" of implementing
No Child Left Behind, we were curious to learn which states had the
greatest surplus of unspent federal funds.
Every state has millions of unspent federal education dollars from
2000-2002.
New York ranks #1 with
$689 million in unspent federal funds (12% of their allotment
for 2000-2002)
California ranks #2 with $671 million
in unspent funds (7.5 percent of their allotment)
Texas is in 3rd place with $412 million
(7 percent of their allotment)
Ohio is sitting on $409 million
(16 percent of their 2000-2002 allotment).
Arkansas is in last place - it used all but 1.7% ($12 million)
of its funds.
How
does your state rank? Are you curious? Check the
Chart of Unspent Federal Funds by State
What about
the Children?
Thousands of schools are designated as "schools in
need of improvement."
While states hire lobbyists to seek changes in No Child Left Behind,
millions of children are not learning to read, spell or do math at
grade level. (Graphs
of student proficiency in reading, math, science)
Budgeting
& Accounting
While
these accounting practices may not be illegal, thoughtful planning
and budgeting could make this money available sooner. School districts
may need to allocate funds differently and hire more highly qualified
teachers (and fewer administrators).
How many millions in unspent education funds will the states return
to the U. S. treasury next year?
Game
Plan
If you think your state needs to do a better job with the
funds available to them, talk
to the leaders and policymakers in your state. (Nothing will change
until you do! If you belong to a parent group or disabilities organization,
make sure your state leaders hear from your group.)
Ask your state leaders to use their unspent millions on research-based
educational sservices for children, high-quality professional development
programs for teachers, improved working conditions, and safe schools.
Link
to Your State Contacts
NCLB
Information Directories
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