wfn.org | Religious leaders back education act

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 29, 1999	News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-71B{499}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodists are among the religious leaders calling upon Congress to
reauthorize and strengthen the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

In a Sept. 24 letter delivered to all members of Congress, the signers asked
that lawmakers resist efforts to convert the Title I program - designed to
compensate for the "uneven and unfair" local tax base for education - into
block grants to the states. Congress is asked to ensure that Title I funds
are targeted to the schools serving the highest percentages of very poor
families and the poorest school districts.

The letter also calls for strong support for bilingual education under Title
VII, noting that increased funding is needed for teacher training and for
strong programs in English as a second language. "We believe all children
should learn English," the leaders said. "However, as a people of faith who
reflect many cultures, we also understand the need for each student to see
herself/himself reflected in the curriculum through bilingual and
multicultural programs."

The letter's signers include Lois Dauway, an executive with the Women's
Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and the Rev. Thom
White Wolf Fassett, chief executive, United Methodist Board of Church and
Society. The National Council of Churches and American Jewish Congress were
among the other organizations represented.

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