WASHINGTON, DC – Public school districts across central, southern and eastern Oregon will receive significant increases in federal Title I education funding this year, according to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Department of Education. Since 2000, Oregon’s Title I funding has increased by $51.8 million, a 66% increase.

U.S. Congressman Greg Walden applauded the Bush Administration’s continued commitment to education funding increases. Walden traveled to southern Oregon on March 1 with Deputy Secretary Eugene Hickok, the second-highest ranking official at the U.S. Department of Education, who joined him at a number of local education events to highlight the education funding increases and local school quality successes.

"The Congress and the President remain committed both to improving the quality of education that our children receive and making sure the needed money gets to the classroom," said Walden. "At a time when states like Oregon are slashing school funding, the federal government is increasing its contribution consistently and substantially. Our teachers and schools need all the help they can get to meet the challenges of educating today’s young people. I will continue to do all I can to make sure that our schools have the resources and flexibility they need."

The bulk of federal funding for elementary and secondary education programs comes in the form of Title I funding, which supplements state and local funding for low-achieving children, especially in high-poverty schools. The program finances the additional academic support and learning opportunities that are often required to help disadvantaged students progress along with their classmates.

The Second District school districts receiving the biggest increases this year in Title I funding follow:

School District Dollar Increase Percent Change

For a complete list of Title I increases to Second District school districts, click here: http://www.house.gov/walden/press/releases/2004/fy04titleI.doc.

Oregon has also benefited under the No Child Left Behind Act. More than $99 million in increased funding – a 73% increase – has gone to Oregon since President Bush signed the bill into law. Oregon has received an additional $43.4 million under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a 54% increase. IDEA was created in 1975 to help states and school districts meet their obligations to educate children with disabilities.

Click here to view Oregon increases in federal education funding since 2000:

http://www.house.gov/walden/press/releases/2004/EducationFunding2004.doc

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional Dist. of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon. He is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Resources.

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