Frist Hail increased education funding for Tennessee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) praised the Department of Education’s announcement specifying state-by-state education funding levels for the new year under the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill, which was signed into law by the President earlier this year, would provide an additional $87.3 million over last year’s level for Tennessee schools for the 2002-2003 year. Praising this unprecedented increase, Frist said: “This substantial increase in education funding will give a needed boost to Tennessee’s local schools to help improve the academic performance of our students. I was honored to work with the President, and members of both parties to pass an education bill which would bring significant improvements to our education system. For too long, our schools have been plagued with inadequate resources to permit meaningful reform. The No Child Left Behind Act ,brings together the reforms and the necessary investment to strengthen the quality of education we provide our children. This additional funding is a down payment to ensure that all of Tennessee’s students have an opportunity to succeed.” New funding levels in the No Child Left Behind Act include: Increases Title I funding in Tennessee, to more than $174.2 million, boosting the quality of education for disadvantaged children – $25 million more than last year, and a 22 percent increase over 2000 levels. Provides over $47 million to improve teacher professional development, teacher salaries, bonuses, and provides for class reduction. Provides more than $14.3 million in funding for Reading First,s to ensure that every public school child in Tennessee learns to read at or above grade level by the third grade. Provides over $8 million to fund technology programs at schools. Provides an estimated $7.3 million to help ensure safe and drug-free schools in Tennessee. Provides $7 million in a flexible grant for Tennessee school districts to spend as they need. Provides an estimated $4.4 million to fund after-school programs for at-risk children in Tennessee. Provides more than $6.9 million in funding to help Tennessee school districts assess how well children are learning and schools are teaching. Senator Frist is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. As a member of the committee, Frist authored several provisions which were included in this historic education bill.