Dems' Victory could be Good for Schools

DEM'S VICTORY COULD BE GOOD FOR SCHOOLS
[SOURCE: eSchool News]
Among the many issues that could be influenced by the election results are college loan interest, workforce preparedness, funding for educational technology, and the reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Many education groups were encouraged by the ascension of what they viewed as a more favorable climate for education funding on Capitol Hill. Control of the House also means chairmanships of the various committees will fall to Democrats. Currently, the ranking Democrat on the influential House Appropriations Committee is Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, and the ranking member of House Committee on Education and the Workforce is Rep. George Miller of California. That could have a significant impact on the legislative priorities of the House, influencing issues down the road such as federal education funding, 21st century workforce preparedness, and the impending reauthorization of NCLB, which is expected to begin next year. Miller has been an outspoken critic of several aspects of NCLB, including what he views as its punitive approach to holding schools accountable. Federal funding for ed tech and other education programs also could see a boost. In recent years, the Republican-controlled House has passed an appropriations bill that mirrored President Bush's budget request, which in 2007 would cut education funding by more than $3 billion and eliminate ed-tech funding altogether. House Democrats have favored more education spending, however, which could bode well for schools. If Democrats take control of the Senate, West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd is in line to assume chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy would become chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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