Education takes a beating nationwide
More layoffs, bigger classes, fewer programs and higher tuition are nothing new to U.S. educators, but analysts say this year stands out.
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 Teachers and supporters protest planned layoffs in Philadelphia. Similar scenes are playing out across the country in a year of especially brutal cuts to education funding. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press / July 31, 2011) |
After a particularly brutal budgeting season this summer, states and school districts across the country have fired thousands of teachers, raised college tuition, relaxed standards, slashed days off the academic calendar and gutted pre-kindergarten and summer school programs.
Slashed budgets are nothing new for educators, but experts say this year stands out.
Last year, K-12 budgets were cut $1.8 billion nationwide. According to estimates by the National Assn. of State Budget Officers, cuts to K-12 for the new fiscal year may reach $2.5 billion.
A year ago, higher-education budgets across the nation were trimmed $1.2 billion. The expected cuts this year: $5 billion.
"They've long since been cutting deep into the bone," said
Slashed budgets are nothing new for educators, but experts say this year stands out.
Last year, K-12 budgets were cut $1.8 billion nationwide. According to estimates by the National Assn. of State Budget Officers, cuts to K-12 for the new fiscal year may reach $2.5 billion.
A year ago, higher-education budgets across the nation were trimmed $1.2 billion. The expected cuts this year: $5 billion.
"They've long since been cutting deep into the bone," said
