Groups See Disappointment, and Hope, in President's 2011 Budget

A Snapshot of Reactions from Community Schools, Summer Learning, Parent, Education Groups

Since the President released his Fiscal Year 2011 budget request Feb. 1, organizations representing educators, youth, parents and others have been posting reactions, especially around the recommendations for changes in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) outlined in the budget document. (The budget was written with the understanding that a new ESEA bill would be in effect by FY2011, a timeline which most believe is optimistic at best.)  While nearly all applaud the budget’s increase in education dollars, the praise came with significant concerns about program cuts or freezes, consolidation of programs and a movement to more federally-run competition for funds that are normally allocated to states by formula. The Administration’s recommendations for 21st CCLC hit all three of these points: a de facto cut of $13 million, the addition of extended day and community schools as use of funds, and a new competition system. For more on 21st CCLC provisions and the budget overall, see our Feb 1 blog and Policy News.

Below are just a few reactions of particular interest. The Afterschool Alliance continues to work with allied organizations and others, and with the Administration and Congress, to craft positive afterschool policy. If you have seen a comment or reaction of note, please send it to info@afterschoolalliance.org or paste in comment section below.  

The Coalition for Community Schools applauded the budget overall, but called for more support for community schools and 21st CCLC. A Feb. 4 statement praised the focus of the Supporting Student Success program (as outlined, would be comprised of 21stCCLC, community school grants and extended day), the Successful, Safe and Healthy Students Program, and the investment in Promise Neighborhoods. At the same time, the Coalition made the point that it “is a strong supporter of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. Afterschool programs and extended learning opportunities offered through 21st Century – and implemented through partnerships between schools and community organizations – are one cornerstone of an effective full service community school. The Coalition strongly supports increased funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Simultaneously, we urge the Administration and Congress to expand support for the FullService Community School program.”   See full release: http://communityschools.org/CCSDocuments/coalitionpressreleasefebruary2010.pdf

The National Summer Learning Association sees “peril and promise” in the budget. From a statement issued Feb 4: “While the National Summer Learning Association appreciates the overall increase in education funding… we were disappointed to see no funding or mention of summer learning programs anywhere in the President’s budget.” The Association also took issue with the 21st CCLC proposal: “Our Association is also concerned that the budget includes a de facto cut to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is a significant source of support for summer learning programs throughout the nation.  Extensive research confirms that children in low-income areas lose critical resources when the school doors close in June, leading to significant academic and developmental setbacks that contribute to the achievement gap. 21st CCLC programs have helped effectively address this gap by providing comprehensive services to students that bring together schools and community partners. Cutting these services during difficult economic times will only exacerbate the large opportunity gap that exists during the summer months. Additionally, we are troubled by potential policy changes to 21st CCLC and other expanded learning funding that could result in more of the same during the summer months.” The Association sees opportunity in the proposed Promise Neighborhoods, expansion of i3 and Race to the Top, School Turnaround grants and STEM education initiatives.  See full statement:
http://www.summerlearning.org/resource/resmgr/policy/2010-nsla_comments-president.pdf 

The National School School Boards Association’s Anne Bryant registered approval and concern: “We are heartened by the priority the administration is putting on K-12 education. There is some real innovation and creative thinking in the budget plan released today…The extraordinary infusion of money into pre-K and higher education is to be lauded. At the same time, out of our concern for the needs of all school districts, we would like to see IDEA and Title I receive increases. It does concern us that the administration is placing such a large focus on competitive grants, which are the core of the additional funding sought by the president. This emphasis on competitiveness could mean that rural districts and children in the poorest parts of the country will be left behind. Those districts do not have the capacity to compete for grants — unless you want to shift money from teachers to grant writers.”  See full statement: http://onlinepressroom.net/nsba/new/ 

The Association of School Administrators applauded “the administration’s continued support for and investment in education” but outlined several areas of concern. Notably, it challenges the proposal to change many programs from state formula grants to competitive programs. “AASA has a strong position in support of formula grant funding. While understanding the administration’s commitment to rewarding and replicating successful programs and practices, AASA urges Congress to maintain formula grants to provide a more reliable stream of funding to local school districts… School districts and systems need a certain level of financial stability to undertake the ambitious innovation and reform proposed by the President’s budget, a level of reliability and consistency that cannot be achieved through competitive funding. Formuladriven funding represents the dedicated funding stream that allows school districts to appropriately plan for and invest in innovation and reform…AASA is concerned that competitive grants would have a disproportionate negative impact on rural and small districts.” The organization also called for “reinstatement of the Safe and Drug Free Schools State Grants Program,” which would be consolidated into a new Successful, Safe and Healthy Students program. See full statement: 
http://www.aasa.org/uploadedFiles/Policy_and_Advocacy/files/AASA%20FY11%20Budget%20Talking%20Points.pdf  

The National PTA’s statement opened with praise for the “historic investment in education” proposed but quickly went on to object to the elimination of the Parental Information and Resource Center: “the consolidation and proposed elimination of the Parental Information and Resource Centers program included in the budget request is of great concern to PTA.  This program is the sole federal initiative dedicated to supporting family engagement in education.  In its absence, schools and districts would not have the tools necessary to meaningfully partner with families to improve student success, particularly in struggling schools where family involvement is most essential.”  See full statement: http://www.pta.org/3814.htm

First Focuspresident Bruce Lesley applauded the increase in spending on children, highlighting additional dollars for The Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Early Learning Challenge Fund, as well as Race to the Top, Promise Neighborhoods, Investing in Innovation Fund, and school improvement grants. He noted, however, “some key children’s programs were reduced or underfunded. The President’s budget has once again cut funding on several critical juvenile justice programs…we remain concerned about the priority we are placing on rehabilitating our most vulnerable youth.”  See full statement:
http://www.firstfocus.net/pages/3669/Despite_Spending_Freeze,_Obama_Budget_Invests_in_Children.htm

Ursula Helminski is Vice President, External Affairs at the Afterschool Alliance. Bio.