U R G E N T A C T I O N A L E R T

On Titles II-D, IV, and V

ISSUE: We ask for your continued support in responding to the members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation (Senators and members of the House of Representatives) with respect to the efforts to increase the funding levels in the federal budget for Titles II-D, IV, and V of No Child Left Behind. The important week is May 29^th through June 2^nd when members will be back in the districts working on constituent issues.

OUR

POSITION: The New Jersey Catholic Conference and the New Jersey Network for Catholic School Families have supported increases in these programs over the last several years. All three programs have been cut substantially, and current allocations for the 2006 – 2007 school year will curtail substantially the programs currently being funded. Remember that the budget issues that we are addressing are for 2007 – 2008.

ACTION: Please call your representative in the House of Representatives and your two New Jersey Senators with respect to these programs. The message is as follows:

1. Fund NCLB Title II-D (Enhancing Education through Technology) at no less than the $496M appropriated in FY 2005.

Talking Points:

Cutting education technology funds harms the ability of the United States to be competitive in the global economy. This program is designed to give states and local school districts the opportunity to use funds as they see fit to augment technological capabilities of both students and teachers.

2. Fund NCLB Title IV-A (Safe and Drug-Free Schools) at no less than $400M.

Talking Points:

School safety, student health, drug and alcohol and tobacco prevention programs are crucial to the academic success of millions of public and nonpublic school students. Assistance in planning for responses to disasters and pandemics (also funded under this program) is especially crucial at this time.

3. Fund NCLB Title V-A (Innovative Programs) at no less than the $296.5M appropriated in FY 2005.

Talking Points:

Innovative Programs funding is a unique source of flexible funds that allows public and nonpublic schools to determine locally how best to implement education programs. For forty years, this program has had more equitable participation by nonpublic school students than any other federal education program. Current funding provides less than $2 for each of the 52M K-12 students in the United States.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON YOUR APPROPRIATE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND BOTH NEW JERSEY SENATORS THROUGH JUNE 2^ND.

Thank you for your immediate cooperation.

GVC:sc