House Boosts 2005 Spending on Education

In Divided Congress, Four Major Education Bills Awaiting Action

If action in the House of Representatives last week was any indication, a trend is emerging on federal education spending: The total keeps climbing, but by smaller and smaller percentage increments each year.

The Republican-controlled chamber on Sept. 9 approved $57.7 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Education in fiscal 2005. The amount was up $2 billion, or 3.6 percent, over the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The bill advanced on a vote of 388-13.

The appropriations measure largely reflects President Bush’s spending priorities, with $1 billion increases for special education and the Title I program for disadvantaged students, as well as matching his requests for Reading First, state assessments,...