The president’s proposed fiscal 2002 budget for the Department of Education would substantially increase spending for some programs, while freezing, cutting, or eliminating others. Below are highlights from the discretionary- spending totals Mr. Bush is requesting, compared with the current program levels.*
| Increases: |
FY2001 |
FY2002 |
Percent |
| Reading | $286 million | $900 million | +214.7 |
| Special education state grants | $6.3 billion | $7.3 billion | +15.8 |
| Title 1 grants to districts | $8.6 billion | $9.1 billion | +5.3 |
| 1Teacher-quality grants to states | $2.2 billion | $2.6 billion | +16.8 |
| Pell Grants | $8.8 billion | $9.8 billion | +11.4 |
| Freezes: | |||
| 21st Century learning centers | $846 million | $846 million | 0 |
| Safe and drug-free schools | $644 million | $644 million | 0 |
| Bilingual and immigrant ed | $460 million | $460million | 0 |
| Cuts: | |||
| School renovation | $1.2 billion | $0 | -100 |
| 2Choice and innovative grants | $934 million | $472 million | -49.5 |
| 3 Education technology | $872 million | $817 million | -6.3 |
| International education exchange | $10 million | $0 | -100 |
| Vocational education | $1.24 billion | $1.22 billion | -1.6 |
NOTES: *Percentages calculated using specific budget figures, not rounded numbers shown here.
1 Would merge class-size-reduction, Eisenhower professional development, and parental assistance programs into a flexible fund to improve teacher quality and shrink class sizes.
2 Would merge 10 programs into a new block grant to states. Allowable activities would include school choice and those authorized under the consolidated programs.
3 Would merge nine technology programs into new technology block grant. The 2001 total includes $55 million in one-time earmarks for special projects.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education.
