National Science Teachers Association Legislative Alert September 25, 2001
Work Continues on H. R. 1, Federal Education Reform Bill It appears that education is once again on the front burner just two weeks after the tragedies in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. Immediately following the WTC and Pentagon attacks, Republican and Democrat leaders on the H. R. 1 Conference Committee (a committee of House and Senate members responsible for working out the differences between the two chambers' education bills) issued a press release saying, "We are all in agreement that despite yesterday's tragedies, final work on the education bill will continue . . . there are no plans at this time to suspend the conference process." In a September 20 press release, Congressman John Boehner R-OH), chairman of the House-Senate conference committee, says "This is another clear message to the world that terrorism will not derail America's domestic policy agenda. We remain united in our resolve to give U.S. students the best education in the world." A full meeting of the 39-member H. R. 1 conference committee **is scheduled for this afternoon, Tuesday September 25**. After the September 11 attacks, Congress and the Administration have moved quickly to address the terrorist attacks, national security, and economic issues. According to Congressional Quarterly, many members of Congress, and the White House, believe the education bill is a "symbol of Congress' determination not to let terrorism shatter it entire agenda." Prior to this afternoon's scheduled meeting conference leaders, including Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), have meet to discuss resolving the biggest issues. The divisive issues in H.R. 1 include accountability (how to define failing schools), funding (level of funding needed), and flexibility of the reform programs. As the language reads now, a sizable majority of American schools would be deemed "failing" under the House and Senate ESEA bill. Legislators and education experts are working to find a formula that they believe will help to hold schools accountable; however, many education experts warn that any federal accountability plan would fail, largely because each state defines school success differently, and states use a wide variety of tests to define school success. For this and other reasons, many large education groups are wary of the push to finish this bill. Significant differences are still under discussion in regard to the new Math and Science Partnerships (more information about these proposed partnerships is below, or go to the new NSTA website at www.nsta.org, select More News, Legislative Affairs tab) These differences between the House and the Senate bill appear in sections on funding authorizations for the partnerships; administration of the math/science partnerships; and the uses of grant funds. NSTA, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education support a separate authorization for the Math and Science Partnerships. We also urge conferees to adopt the House language that authorizes the competitive grants at the state level. Competitive grants should be awarded to the Math/Science partnerships by the state education agency instead of by the U. S. Department of Education. We also urge that the Math and Science Partnerships be authorized at the highest possible funding level. While the H.R. 1 conference committee is working hard to finish the authorizing language for federal education programs, the education appropriations committees are working to determine the actual amount that will be spent on federal education programs for the 2002-2003 school year. It was once assumed that the education authorizing bill (H.R. 1), which determines programs and suggests overall funding for these programs, would be in place before education appropriators would begin work. It now appears that H. R 1 conference members and education appropriators will be working closely to determine funding for next year. Markup of the education appropriations bill is scheduled for next week. House and Senate appropriators are now requesting $4 billion in additional funds for education in the fiscal year 2002 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill. ****What Can You Do?**** The NSTA Legislative Committee of 1,000 and all teachers are encouraged to contact their representatives and Senators in support of the Math and Science Partnerships. State Association Leaders are urged to send communications on behalf of your state science teachers group. Calling and emailing your letter/message is a good option at this point. Even if your representative or Senator(s) is not a member of the conference committee, contact him/her anyway--ask them to share your messages with the H.R. 1 conference committee and appropriators. The three key messages that should be heard: 1. Urge H.R. 1 conferees and education appropriators to guarantee the highest possible funding levels for the Math and Science Partnerships. 2.Urge H.R. 1 conferees to maintain a separate authorization for the Math and Science Partnerships. 3. Urge H. R. 1 conferees to authorize the Math and Science Partnerships programs as a state-based program, with grants administered by the State Education Agency, not as a federal program administered by the U. S. Department of Education. For phone calls: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Rep. or Senator Emails: Senate: http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm (phone numbers also listed here). House: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.htm Or visit the new NSTA website at www.nsta.org, go to www.nsta.org/leghandbook A sample letter you can use to send to your Members of Congress is below. **Sample letter** The Honorable (name of Rep/Senator) U. S. Senate (U. S. House of Representatives) Street address Washington, DC zip Dear Senator (Representative): As a teacher(s) at NAME OF SCHOOL in your district (state), I would like to thank you for your commitment to K-12 education. In this time of national crisis, it is encouraging that the Congress is committed to maintaining a national priority on education. Please consider these recommendations during your deliberations on education. I believe these recommendations will help to strengthen the Math and Science Partnerships in Title II. 1. I urge you to guarantee the highest possible funding levels for the Math and Science Partnerships in H.R. 1. 2. I urge the conferees to recede to the Senate's separate authorization for the Math and Science Partnerships program, and to adopt the House language that authorizes the competitive grants at the state level. 3. I urge you to ensure the competitive grants awarded to the partnerships are administered by the state education agency. Separately authorized Math and Science Partnership programs that provide for state-based competitive grants will better ensure that these partnerships meet local teacher needs and state standards. A state-based program will also reach more teachers and districts. The new Math and Science Partnerships will be replacing the Eisenhower State Grant programs, which for years has been the largest source of professional development funding for science teachers in our state. Therefore, it is critical that this program is authorized as a separate state-based program, and that it receive the highest funding level. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Sincerely, Questions? E-mail Jodi Peterson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jodi Peterson, National Science Teachers Association About the Math and Science Partnerships: Both the Senate and House bills create a new Math and Science Partnership program, which aims to strengthen student achievement in these subjects by encouraging more involvement between higher education and K-12 science and math educators. These partnerships would replace the Eisenhower professional development program. Eligible partners for the Math and Science Partnerships include the math, engineering, or science departments from higher education institutions; K-12 districts; and state education agencies. Other partners could include businesses, nonprofit groups, and additional districts, including high-need districts. Partners would apply for competitive grants, which would be used for a number of programs designed to strengthen teacher quality; these programs include professional development, recruiting math/science teachers, distance learning programs, K-8 master teacher programs, and programs to bring scientists into the classrooms. To join the free NSTA Legislative Update, send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include your e-mail address, name, and state. If your address changes or if you want to unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- This is the ISTA-talk mailing list. To unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information: <http://www.ista-il.org/ista-talk.asp> To search the archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/ista-talk@lists.csi.cps.k12.il.us/>
