The Department of Education has posted its fiscal 2009 budget proposal on its Web site. It looks as if the spreadsheet that made the rounds in recent weeks had the right figures. The budget would provide nominal increases for Title I and special education. It would restore the Reading First program back to the fiscal 2007 level of $1 billion. And it would eliminate programs for career and technical education, tech-prep, and educational technology.
The budget also proposes a significant change in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The Bush administration wants to eliminate the grants for after-school programs run by community groups and school districts. The administration would replace the program with grants for families to redeem at private providers. The funding would fall from $1.08 billion to $800 million.
The department has a summary on it budget page. You’ll be able to read more at www.edweek.org later today.
