ERIC Number: EJ815749
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct-22
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0277-4232
EISSN: N/A
Fiscal Worries Shadow State Elections
McNeil, Michele
Education Week, v28 n9 p1, 18-19 Oct 2008
This article reports that the new class of governors and state legislators to be elected November 4 will inherit financial problems that pose both immediate and long-term threats to existing education programs, while constraining their ability to mount new initiatives. The prospect of a deepening economic slowdown--with state-level budget deficits already totaling more than $40 billion nationwide--will hang over voters as they pick governors in 11 states and legislators in 44. At least 12 states have made targeted cuts to education, including Delaware, which faces a $200 million deficit and where the candidates vying to replace a term-limited Democratic governor are clashing over how best to tighten the state's budget belt. Despite the gloomy economic forecasts across the country, most candidates for governor are still pushing ideas to improve education. Proposals include revising or scrapping standardized-testing programs, expanding financial aid for college students, and creating school choice programs. Not to be overlooked are the legislative elections, in which voters nationwide will fill 80 percent of statehouse seats.
Descriptors: Financial Problems, Testing Programs, Elementary Secondary Education, Legislators, School Choice, Elections, Educational Finance, Standardized Tests, Budgets, Educational Improvement, Political Candidates, Economic Factors, Economic Climate
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A