Friday News Roundup: Week of March 23-27

At Ed Money Watch, we discuss and analyze major issues affecting education funding. In our Friday News Roundup, we try to highlight interesting stories that might otherwise get overlooked. These stories emphasize how federal and state policy changes can affect local schools and districts.

Missouri Budget May Cut Teacher Development Programs

Alaskans Protest Palin’s Plan to Refuse Some Stimulus Funds

Economic Crisis Adds to Stress of College Selection

California Struggles to Fill Budget Holes

Missouri Budget May Cut Teacher Development Programs
As legislators in the Missouri House of Representatives attempt to trim the state budget, funding for teacher development programs won’t make the cut. Funding for mentoring, curriculum improvement programs, and other teacher support systems was cut from the House version of the state budget. Without these state funds, nine regional professional development centers throughout the state will have to find other sources of funding or close down. Dr. Ron Anderson, superintendent of the Jackson School District, noted that professional development is not only necessary, but is required by law. Anderson plans to use local funds to keep programs running in his district. State education officials are attempting to restore the money to the budget, either through floor action in the House or in the Senate version of the budget, because many districts do not have the resources to replace the funds. More here.

Alaskans Protest Governor Palin’s Plan to Refuse Some Stimulus Funds
Alaska state lawmakers are prepared to defy Governor Sarah Palin’s plan to reject about a third of the federal stimulus funds for which the state is eligible. Governor Palin rejected money slated for Title I and IDEA, saying she wants to avoid digging Alaska into a deeper financial hole. However, state lawmakers would like to secure the funds anyway, stating that rejecting the funds would hurt students with the greatest need. Even if legislators are able to secure the money, Governor Palin has the power to veto any spending. She has not made clear whether she plans to exercise this power. More here.

Economic Crisis Adds to Stress of College Selection
According to the College Hopes & Worries Survey conducted by the Princeton Review, students and parents are factoring the struggling economy into their decisions as they navigate the college application process. Thirty-seven percent of both students and parents said their biggest concern was that they would not be able to afford the best school to which they (or their child) were admitted. Over 60 percent of both students and parents said the economic collapse influenced their decisions, and 38 percent of students said economic concerns had caused them to change the kinds of schools they applied to. Students and parents agreed overwhelmingly that financial aid will be extremely or very necessary to pay for college. More here.

California Struggles to Fill Budget Holes
Despite more than $40 billion in tax hikes, program cuts, and other manipulations, California is facing a new $8 billion hole in its state budget. The state legislature had hoped to use State Fiscal Stabilization Funds to fill the hole ($3.6 billion of which is education related), but the funds aren’t enough to cover all of the shortfalls. State fiscal advisors have suggested that the state use education funds directed toward Title I, special education, and state mandated activities to make up the difference while the state’s congressional delegation has made it clear that these funds are to be used to prevent eminent teacher layoffs and program eliminations. More here.

Briefly Noted

• Budget problems dominate San Diego Schools Superintendent Terry Grier’s first year on the job.
• Stimulus money will save 3,800 teaching jobs in Alabama.