Experts say Obama's education policy unlikely to see approval

Education policy was a major portion of President Barack Obama's 2015-16 national budget proposal, though analysts acknowledge that many parts of the plan are unlikely to make it through a GOP-controlled Congress.

His proposal, released Feb. 2, would increase taxes on multinational corporations and the rich, expand tax credits for poor and middle classes and boost funding in education. 

UNC economics professor Patrick Conway said the president in his final two years has proposed an increase in federal expenditures in key areas — as opposed to in his first six years in office, where he was reducing government spending.

The president proposed a total of $70.7 billion in discretionary spending for the U.S. Department of Education, which is a 5.4 percent increase from its 2014-15 funding. The money would go toward increasing equity and opportunity in education, expanding high-equality early learning programs, supporting teachers and leaders and improving higher education, according to a Department of Education statement. 

Key education investments from the budget include a $2.7 billion increase for elementary and secondary education to help all students graduate from high school prepared for college and careers; $750 million in grants to help certain states lay the foundation for universal public preschool; and a $60.3 billion investment to provide two years of free community college to responsible students. 

Responsible students, meaning students who attend school at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college and make progress toward completing their program. 

Terry Stoops, education analyst at the right-leaning John Locke Foundation, said North Carolina would not receive much more federal money than before. He said in recent years federal investment in K-12 education has not kept up with student enrollment. 

“Congress has allocated less for K-12 education over the years, and we have received stimulus funds that artificially boosted what we receive,” he said.

He said he thinks Obama's budget is more of a political statement than something that will be implemented. 

“The political realities are that it is not going to pass, but it does not mean he can’t make a statement about where his priorities are and where his focus is going to be on the remaining years of presidency,” Stoops said.

The budget also includes a one-time 14 percent tax on foreign earnings. The money raised from this tax would primarily be used for much-needed infrastructure projects, said Conway.

Stoops said there are ideas in Obama's plan that might appeal to Republicans, such as cutting taxes for families paying for childcare. But the overall education vision is not going to come close to the House and Senate’s proposal, Stoops said.

Conway said even though the idea of free community college for two years sounds good, there may be hidden kinks that need to be worked out.

“It gives us a vision on how to go forward. He is hoping Republican legislators will look at that and see what they can work on together,” he said. “He’s put forward his wish list — now he is waiting on legislators to pick and choose on what they agree on and want to pass.”

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