Triangle Coalition For Science And Technology Education

Just prior to the end of the year, Congress came to a compromise and passed a consolidated appropriations bill (H.R. 2055) for FY 2012, totaling $915 billion. The bill cut the Department of Education’s budget by $153 million over last year, putting its FY12 funding at $71.3 billion. Despite the House’s proposed elimination of funding for the Math and Science Partnerships, the program survived at $150 million for FY12, a decrease of $25 million from FY11. In his budget request, President Obama had proposed replacing the MSP with a $206 million comprehensive STEM program, “Effective Teaching and Learning: STEM.” This program was not funded, but the MSP will continue this year.

The President’s key programs – Race to the Top, Investing in Innovation (i3), School Improvement Grants, the Teacher Incentive Fund, and Promise Neighborhoods, were all included in the budget, although some received cuts. RTTT received $549 million in FY12 funding, which is $150 million less than last year and much less than the Administration’s $900 million request. Funding for i3 remained at last year’s $149 million. Both of these programs have strong STEM emphasis.

Prior to the bill’s passage, the government had been operating under continuing resolutions since October 1, 2011. The omnibus spending bill now funds the government through September 30, 2012.