Under the partisan budget we are being forced to vote on today, Rhode Island will lose critical funding for class size reduction, school construction, and violence prevention programs.  In 1999 and 2000, Rhode Island received more than $11 million under the 100,000 New Teachers Program.  With these funds, Rhode Island was able to hire 145 new teachers.   President Bush wants to terminate this valuable program, and resign Rhode Island children to overcrowded classrooms.  More teachers and smaller classes are critical to helping all students, and they have a particularly dramatic impact on those from low-income families.  In fact, smaller class sizes are key to substantially closing the achievement gap between high-performing and low-performing students.  To leave no child behind, we must reduce the size of classes by helping schools recruit and hire more teachers.  

Rhode Island is also in serious need of money for school construction.  Many schools throughout the state are deteriorating.  Too many children are learning in trailers and classrooms that do not meet minimal health and safety standards.  In sum, Rhode Island’s schools are in need of $1.6 billion for repairs.  Yet, the Republican budget abandons Rhode Island’s children by providing zero funding for school construction.  Instead of creating modern and safe schools that are conducive to learning, the Bush budget eliminates the School Renovation Program, and retroactively redirects the $1.2 billion already appropriated for this year to other programs.  As many as 1,000 schools in disrepair will not be renovated because of this budget.

Mr. Speaker, reforms without resources won’t produce results.  Public demand to invest in education has never been stronger.  Parents and taxpayers want to reduce class size, repair schools, ensure children have the highest quality teachers, and target federal assistance to schools that need it most. 

This opportunity must not be squandered on ill-conceived plans, or sacrificed because of inadequate funding and a lack of political courage.  Let us make children and public education our top priority and provide the resources needed to make a difference for every child in America. 

To truly leave no child behind, the White House and Congress must match rhetoric with the resources needed to turn words into deeds, and hope into reality.