U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that she has called upon the Senate leadership to continue funding for the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). Last week, Senator Collins and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) sent a letter to Senate Appropriators requesting $300 million in REAP funding for FY2009. The REAP program provides support for America’s rural public schools and their students through supplemental grant funding.
Rural schools in America often have difficulty affording all aspects of their students’ education due to the associated poverty and the additional costs required to service students covered over many square miles. It is estimated that one-third of America’s schools and 21% of its public school students would benefit from the continuation of this program.
Locally, 120 schools in Maine were the recipients of more than $1.65 million of support when the 2007 REAP funding was announced in September. Since the introduction of the REAP program in 2002, Maine’s schools have received over $10.53 million.
“This is a critical issue,” noted Senator Collins. “Rural schools—like many of those in Maine—often suffer from chronic under-funding, causing the local students to suffer. I will work to see that this program’s good work is continued.”
Senator Collins coauthored legislation that created the REAP program in 2002.
The text of the letter follows:
Dear Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Specter:
We are writing to express our strong support for the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), and to request that you fund this valuable program at $300 million in fiscal year (FY) 2009.
REAP was authorized in 2002 by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Thanks to your efforts, REAP has received funding each year since its creation, including $171.9 million in the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
It is our hope that the Appropriations Committee will continue to support the goals of REAP by increasing funding for this program to $300 million in FY 2009. In its FY 2009 budget request, the Administration level-funded the program.
Nearly one-third of America's public schools are in rural places, and nearly 10 million (22 percent) of our public school students attend these schools. REAP is the only dedicated federal funding stream to aid rural school districts in overcoming the increased expenses caused by geographic isolation, and the need for REAP dollars continues to grow. Between 2002-03 and 2004-05, enrollment in rural schools increased by 15 percent.
The need for REAP dollars has also increased due to cuts in programs included in the REAP formula. Fewer dollars for state grant programs such as Educational Technology, Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, and the elimination of Innovative Block Grants means that rural districts have relied heavily on REAP dollars that have not increased fast enough to meet demand.
We firmly believe that this initiative addresses the unique needs of small, rural school districts, as well as low-income, rural school districts, while ensuring accountability. In many cases, current federal formulas do not produce enough resources to carry out the purposes the grant is intended to fund. Small, rural school districts often forgo federal education dollars because they lack the personnel and the resources to apply for competitive grants. By allowing these school districts to combine funds, as well as providing additional funds, these districts are finally receiving levels of funding required to undertake significant reform.
This program has already helped fund new technology in classrooms, distance learning opportunities, and professional development activities, as well as a vast array of other initiatives that will help rural districts make progress toward the goals of NCLB.
This funding is particularly important now that new accountability and testing requirements of NCLB have expanded the demands on local school administrators. This impact is most deeply felt in rural districts where the superintendent often serves as the sole administrator and is responsible for implementing these reforms.
While we recognize the many difficulties you face in crafting this year's appropriations bill, we urge your continued support of REAP to meet the needs of our nation's small and rural schools.
Thank you for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
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