Last month, Congress finally approved the Department of Education's budget for the 2011 fiscal year. Washington's attempts to reduce overall spending did trim education's allowance, but not by a large margin. 68.5 billion dollars have been allotted, down from 2010's near $70 billion. Despite the minimal adjustment, many education programs' outlooks have drastically changed, for good or ill.
The Winners
(For a complete listing of winners and losers, check out this article from Education Week)
Perhaps the biggest winners were the Race to the Top and Investing in Innovation (i3) programs. Both received multi-million dollar budget increases, with RttT alone pocketing an extra $700 million.
Several programs that target low-income students, families, and districts will also have their funding increased, including Head Start, Pell Grants, and Promise Neighborhoods.
The Losers
Many smaller programs took a hit after the distribution of dollars. These include various nonprofit organizations with more specific focus, like the National Writing Project, which will receive over 25 million dollars less this year. These cuts are in addition to the numerous trimmings and shavings of several additional education programs.
The standout loser in 2011 is the Educational Technology State Grants program, which is dedicated to awarding technology grants to states. The 100 million dollar program has been completely abandoned in this year's budget.
The Impact
What does it all mean? Well, the government is sticking to its guns, advancing recent programs like Race to the Top and i3. It also seems that progression is being encouraged. Education needs to continue to grow and develop, and programs targeting such initiatives have been rewarded. A continued effort to improve educational opportunities for low-income students is also supported.
Some cuts, however, are troubling. A recent review of the budget on the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) blog notes a thinning of small direct-funding programs in favor of competitive grants. (You can read the entire ISTE post here) One wonders if certain areas will suffer as a result of this competition.
More baffling is the elimination of Educational Technology State Grants. If innovation is important (and it certainly is), why cut all funding for such a program? There is no question that technology is an essential component of education's future. True, the government is promoting innovation in technology through other programs (like ARPA-ED). But is keeping the technology front narrow the best way to approach a rapidly developing future?
What do you think? How does the approved budget affect you? How will it affect the educational landscape in the months to come? Make yourselves heard in the comments section below.
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