Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

$150B Stimulus to Double Education Budget

$150B spending expected to permanently expand government's role in education

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2009 6:15 AM CST

(Newser) – The stimulus plan before Congress today more than doubles the Department of Education's budget, reports the New York Times. An unprecedented extra $150 billion in federal aid would provide funds for nearly every aspect of education, from school construction to college grants. Opponents and backers alike agree that the injection of cash could change the federal government's role in education forever.

Administration officials say the funding will provide sorely needed aid and prevent severe cutbacks. "This is going to avert literally hundreds of thousands of teacher layoffs," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Republicans call some of the proposals wasteful and argue against expanding the government's role in education. Some experts question whether the cash will actually boost academic achievement—and wonder what will happen when the windfall dries up in 2 years.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

A new high school in Lewis Center, Ohio, is seen under construction Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. The economic stimulus plan will provide federal funds for the building of new schools. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the stimulus plan will prevent the layoffs of hundreds of thousands of teachers. (AP Photo)

Administration officials and representatives from schools say the stimulus plan will provide crucial aid for the nation's 15,000 school districts. (©Tomás Fano)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We cannot let education collapse; we have to provide this level of support to schools. - Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House education committee

By putting the federal government in the business of building schools, Democrats may be irrevocably changing the federal government's role in education in this country. - Rep. Howard P. McKeon (R-Calif.)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

(NEWSER) - Ten of the first 11 states to apply for a waiver from the controversial No Child Left Behind law will be freed from the law's requirements by President Obama today, the AP reports. Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee received the waivers; New Mexico's application was not approved, but it is working with the White House to get the OK. Another 28 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are expected to seek waivers in the future; the heavily populated states of California, Pennsylvania, and Texas are among those that have not yet signaled they will apply. More»

House Panel Subpoenas White House Solyndra Docs

Last-ditch efforts to avoid the move prove fruitless

(NEWSER) - Despite last-minute efforts by the White House, the House Energy and Commerce Committee panel today authorized subpoenas for internal White House documents related to the Solyndra mess. The Washington Post calls the move “apparently unprecedented.” President Obama’s top lawyer had sought a deal and White House officials had delivered some 20,000 more pages of emails and other documents to investigators yesterday, while Democrats on the panel fought the decision; the vote nonetheless came down 14-9 along party lines. More»

Another US-Backed Energy Company Goes Bankrupt

Beacon Power adds to Obama administration's post-Solyndra woes

(NEWSER) - More potential trouble for the Obama administration: On the heels of Solyndra, another federally-backed power company has gone bankrupt. A year ago, Beacon Power received a $43 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy, Reuters reports. The company drew down $39 million of that loan for a $69 million energy storage plant in Stephentown, New York. But the Energy Department says Beacon Power's woes aren't quite as bad as Solyndra's: The New York plant is still running despite the bankruptcy, marking a contrast to Solyndra’s shutdown. More»

School Takes Roll With Fingerprint Scans

Scanners to be installed on buses, too

(NEWSER) - Roll-calls are so 20th century. A cutting-edge Florida district is scanning students' fingerprints as a way of taking attendance, Popular Science reports. And the schools are getting even more careful: While the scanning systems are currently in school buildings, some will soon be moved to buses, allowing the district to monitor kids as soon as they leave home in the morning. Parents who aren't fans of the system—which costs some $30 per student each year—can opt out. More»

At Least 27 States Ditching No Child Left Behind

Arne Duncan says he's encouraging them to do so

(NEWSER) - It’s been a week since Barack Obama offered to let states out of No Child Left Behind's strictest provisions , and states are jumping to take him up on it. At least 27 states have already told the administration they’re opting out, and most of the rest are still considering it, MSNBC reports. To earn a waiver states must adopt higher standards in some areas than the law requires, but most have already done so. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

$150B Stimulus to Double Education Budget