President Releases His Department of Education Budget

After much anticipation, President Obama released the details of his proposed FY 2010 budget for the federal government, including the Department of Education. The proposed discretionary budget for the Department of Education is $46.7 billion which is slightly more than the $45.4 billion the Department received in 2009. This does not include the $81.1 billion the Department received as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Despite these budgetary increases, there is very little in direct funding for STEM education related programs.

In a press release to announce the budget, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated:

"This budget makes tough decisions, investing in the programs that will deliver results in student learning while ending ones that aren't working," Duncan said. "It will give educators the resources they need to turn around the schools in the most trouble, and it will build a foundation for success in school for our youngest citizens."

The one program in the budget that directly pertains to STEM education and which is also in the 2009 Triangle Coalition Legislative Platform - is the Math Science Partnerships (MSPs). The “program supports State and local efforts to improve students’ academic achievement in mathematics and science by promoting strong teaching skills for elementary and secondary school teachers, including by integrating teaching methods based on scientific based research and technology in the curriculum.” Despite the importance of the MSPs, the proposed FY 2010 funding remains the same as it was in 2008 and 2009 at $179 million.

Another program that is not directly related to STEM education but has the potential to affect STEM education is the Teacher Incentive Fund. The Fund provides financial incentives to school employees for increasing student achievement. As a result, it might be possible to place qualified STEM teachers into schools where there might now be a demand for them. The funding levels for the Fund for 2008 and 2009 were $97.3 million, but President Obama has proposed $517.3 million. So it is very obvious that President Obama has made the Teacher Incentive Fund a hallmark of his education policy.

The budget from the President is simply a proposal. Both the House and Senate must now work through the appropriating process before the President is provided with a budget he can sign into law.