President Obama Announces FY 2011 Education Budget Proposal

On February 1, 2010, President Obama announced his FY 2011 Budget Proposal for Education. The President's budget proposes $50.7 billion for the Department of Education's discretionary programs, which represents a $3.5 billion (7.5 percent) increase.  Highlights of the President’s Budget Proposal include:

• $3 billion increase in K-12 education programs
• $1 billion in additional funding if Congress completes legislation to reauthorize ESEA
• $1.35 billion to expand the Race to the Top Program (RTTT) for districts as well as States to carry out systemic reform. (This request seeks to permanently establish RTTT)
• $500 million to continue and premanently establish the Investing in Innovation program
• $950 million in competitive grants to States and districts to recruit, prepare, retain and reward effective teachers and principals
• $490 million to grow effective charter schools and other effective, autonomous public schools that achieve results, develop new approaches, and use evidence to get results
• $900 million for School Turnaround Grants 

Although the budget proposes a significant increase in education funding, several key education programs, including Title I, were flat funded.  The budget emphasizes a significant shift from formula funded programs to competitive grants, and 38 programs are now consolidated into 11 funding streams. 

You can find more detailed information regarding the President's FY 2011 Budget Proposal for Education by visiting these Depatment of Education links:

http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/summary/index.html  

http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/justifications/index.html 

Also, below is a press release from the Department of Education.