Boost in U.S. Aid Proposed for Schools in Washington

Spellings cites ‘partnership’ with nation’s capital.

The White House is seeking a substantial jump in federal aid for the District of Columbia public schools—a proposal that the Bush administration is characterizing as a new level of partnership with local officials in the nation’s capital.

President Bush’s $74 million request for K-12 programs in Washington in fiscal 2009, contained in the administration’s federal budget plan released Feb. 4, includes $20 million in one-time appropriations to bolster student achievement in the 50,000-student school district.

The proposal, which would be an 81 percent increase from the fiscal 2008 level for K-12 education in the city, also seeks extra money for programs that embrace policies the administration has sought to advance nationwide, including charter schools...