House Votes to Kill the Eisenhower Program

“So the bill was passed” is how the September 18 Congressional Record describes the 212-198 vote to kill the Eisenhower Professional Development Program, along with 30 other federal education programs. Despite generally positive congressional sentiment toward science, the Eisenhower program, which trains teachers to become more effective in math and science instruction, was eliminated as the House leadership sought to return control of education money to local schools.

The House vote was along party lines when it approved H.R. 3248, the Dollars to the Classroom Act. Five Democrats voted for the bill, while eleven Republicans voted against it.

Under this legislation, about $2.7 billion that 31 federal education programs had provided will be combined into a single lump sum. This money would be dispensed on a formula that takes into account a state’s population of five to seven-year-old children, and its number of low-income students. Ninety-five percent of the money would go directly to the local school systems, with the remaining five percent going to the state. Requirements and standards, such as that for the Eisenhower program, would no longer apply. (AIP and six of its Member Societies - ASA, AAPM, AAPT, AAS, APS, and AVS - oppose putting the Eisenhower program into a block grant.)

Representatives supporting H.R. 3248 do not oppose Eisenhower program objectives (and perhaps other program objectives.) Rather, they believe that local school officials are better able to decide how to spend tax dollars. Said Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), “We just changed from Father Knows Best in terms of the Federal Government to the local schools are going to decide what is best for those students, and that is where those dollars are going to be utilized.” Added Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), “Let us trust parents. Let us trust the teachers and our local communities to make those decisions about our children’s future at home where those decisions belong.”

Those opposing the bill cited several objections. They fear that by putting this money into a single line item it will become an easier target for future cuts. Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-CA) charged, “In every case where there has been a block grant, programs put together into a block grant, subsequent appropriators have appropriated less money....” Others contend this is a way to kill these programs. Rep. Patsy Mink (D-HI) cited the Eisenhower program when she said, “Every one of the majority members of our committee talks about the importance of teacher training,” later adding “It is a basic effort to try to eliminate these important programs.”

H.R. 3248 will die (as will all other legislation) when Congress adjourns in the next few weeks. The Senate companion bill has not been cleared by committee. In addition, the president has threatened to veto this legislation. The House vote was not close to the two-thirds vote needed to override a veto.

While this bill will die in October, its provisions will be back next year. Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and House Republicans are sure to use the Dollars to the Classroom Act as a starting point in the crafting of the reauthorization bill.