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 January 13, 2005

Strengthening America 's High Schools

Key Figures From President Bush's FY 2006 Budget Request

Part I

Yesterday, President Bush discussed his new education proposals that will ensure every high school student graduates with the skills needed to succeed in college and in a globally competitive workforce. The following are some key figures from President Bush's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006.  According to the White House:

Ø   The President's Fiscal Year 2006 budget will provide $1.5 billion in funding for a new High School Initiative to help states hold high schools accountable for teaching all students and to provide effective and timely intervention for those students who are not learning at grade level. This initiative includes requirements for state assessments in high school to ensure that diplomas are truly meaningful.

Ø   The President's plan for high schools will help to ensure excellence for every student.

·   President Bush will propose to increase funding for his Striving Readers program to $200 million annually, and will propose $269 million for the Mathematics and Science Partnership program.

·   To reward teachers who demonstrate success in preparing their students through increases in student achievement and teach in low-income schools, the President will propose a $500 million incentive fund for states and school districts.

·   The President's support for Advanced Placement programs will not only encourage the growth of AP and International Baccalaureate courses, but also serve as a mechanism for upgrading the entire high school curriculum for all students. President Bush will also propose the State Scholars Initiative for states to develop and promote strong courses of study to increase student achievement.
 

Strengthening America’s High Schools

Key Figures From President Bush’s FY 2006 Budget Request

Part II

President Bush's plan to reform our Nation's elementary and secondary schools to ensure that all children are proficient in reading and math by the 2013-14 school year was passed in Congress with bipartisan majorities. The President signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) so that testing, accountability, and high standards will join with record new funding to help ensure educational excellence for every child. The early grades are seeing progress across America , but we must finish the job with American high schools.

According to the latest results from the Program for International Student Assessment, America 's 15-year-olds performed below the international average in mathematics literacy and problem-solving, placing 27th out of 39 countries. These disappointing results should be a call to action so that our graduates are prepared for a lifetime of achievement and active participation in our country. To build on America 's education reforms, the President's high school initiatives will increase the quality of secondary education and ensure that every student graduates from high school prepared to enter college or the workforce with the skills to succeed.

The President's New High School Initiative: High School Intervention and State Assessments

·         The President's new High School Initiative will provide $1.5 billion in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget. $1.2 billion will be used for High School Intervention to help states hold high schools accountable for teaching all students and to provide effective interventions for those students who are not learning at grade level. In return for a commitment to improve academic achievement and graduation rates for secondary school students, states will receive the flexibility to choose which programs will be most effective in serving the needs of their high school students. And $250 million will be used for State Assessments to ensure that high school diplomas are truly meaningful with required state assessments in high school.

·         To make the taxpayer dollar work smarter, and still provide funding for states under the High School Initiative, programs with a narrow focus and programs that have not proven effective in improving our secondary students’ academic achievement will be consolidated.