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While the federal budget is in the state of flux, the proposed presidential budget and the version being considered by the House are woefully inadequate and damaging. At the very least, the Senate position should be the starting point for discussions related to K-12 funding. The two most critical federal programs for Madison Schools are IDEA and Title I.
IDEA — The promised 40 % federal funding for special education has never materialized. Under the proposed budget, Wisconsin receives less than a 1% increase in its federal allocation. Madison's 2005-06 special education budget is $57.8 million, of which $4.1 million (7.1% of the total) comes from the federal government. With the proposed paltry increase, and declining support from the state (now at 28% reimbursement, and declining annually), Madison property tax payers will pay for almost two-thirds of the mandated state and federal services.
Title I — Over 40% of the children enrolled in Madison elementary schools are living in poverty, as defined by federal eligibility for free/reduced meals. As the number of poor children grows, more resources for low-income students are essential to enable them to pass tests required under No Child Left Behind. Instead, the budget offers a $1.6 million cut in Title I funding for Wisconsin. In 2003-04, Madison Schools received $6.5 million in Title I resources; last year, that allocation fell to $5.4 million, a 17% cut in two years. It's disingenuous to require a battery of standardized tests and not provide the resources for children to be successful.
English As a Second Language — The tremendous recent influx of Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants from Mexico to Wisconsin, has stressed school districts across the state. Providing services to these new students presents a formidable challenge. The entire Title III federal allocation to Madison Schools for bilingual education is $446,730 — a little less than 4 percent of the district's entire $11.6 million English Language Learner budget.
To further illustrate the district's predicament consider: During the 93-94 school year in MMSD there were 562 students in ESL, with 34.8 teachers, and 20.6 Bilingual Resource Specialists/Educational Assistants. The total MMSD ESL budget was $1,878,620. The state reimbursed districts for 33.1% of costs associated with ESL.
By 2005-06 in MMSD there were 3,254 students in ESL, 125.77 teachers, and 70.5 BRSs/EAs. The total ESL budget is now $11,607,655. Twelve years later, as ESL enrollments across the state increases, the state now reimburses school districts for 12% of costs. If ESL students are expected to master NCLB standardized tests, then school personnel must have the resources to provide intensive instruction.
April, 2006