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The following information was released by the office of Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen: Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced today the introduction of the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (Keep Our PACT) Act. The legislation would put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully funding the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. He was joined by 79 original cosponsors. Making education a priority cannot be done in word alone we must provide the funding states so desperately need to improve our schools and provide the education our children deserve, said Congressman Van Hollen. This bill is a reminder to those of us in government of the importance of keeping our promises on education. Funding for some of our most important education programs are far below the needed levels. Since President Bush signed NCLB into law in January 2002, Title I of the law, which gives assistance to highest need schools, has been funded at $54.7 billion below its authorized level. Currently, approximately 4.3 million students are not getting the Title I help they were promised. IDEA is a grant program that helps states pay for special education programs. When it was reauthorized in 2004, grants to states were funded at $20.3 billion below the authorized level. The federal government has never funded even half of its commitment. The Keep Our PACT Act would put the Congress on a path to make up these massive deficits with responsible increases in key education funding starting this year. The Keep Our PACT Act would allow us to keep our promise of education funding. The money provided would be a sustained commitment to education, and would finally provide all of our students with the resources they need to succeed, said Van Hollen. This legislation would send the clear message that our children and future generations have our full support. |
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