Illinois would reap $5.5 billion in federal education funding under President
George W. Bush’s proposed $56 billion discretionary budget
for education in 2006
. That amount is an increase of $285 million
over what the state received in 2005. The Bush Administration is touting
the budget plan as a major step toward improving high schools, by providing
almost $1.5 billion for an initiative that would include, for instance,
more assessments, more Advanced Placement courses and individual education
plans for low-performing students. But the budget also eliminates some
popular programs, such as GEAR-UP, a college readiness program for low-income
students, and Upward Bound, which provides grants to colleges for academic
preparation of disadvantaged high school students. The chart below shows
how Illinois would fare.

Program

2006 Proposal
(in millions)

2005 Funding
(in millions)

High School Initiative 20.6 0 (New)
High School Assessments 8.7 0 (New)
Title 1 565 538
Reading First 37.8 37.8
Even Start* Eliminated 8.4
Math/Science Partnerships 5.3 6.3
Educational technology Eliminated 19.8
21st Century Community Learning Centers 40.2 40.6
Innovating Program grants+ 4.2 8.3
Teacher Incentive** 17.4 0 (New)
Safe & Drug-Free Schools Eliminated 17.5
Special education state grants 487 467
Vocational education, tech-prep Eliminated 49

*Combines early childhood, adult and parenting education
+Grants for supplemental programs, such as staff development or
smaller classes
**Pay for incentives to keep highly qualified teachers in high-poverty
schools

Source: U.S. Department of Education data

 

 

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