UNITED STATES: It was the cornerstone issue of President George W Bush’s election campaign, but education spending has been increased by only 4 per cent. The administration actually objected to another decision, almost unnoticed, to increase spending for disabled students.
That vote came as a key committee of the House of Representatives approved several education eforms, including a provision that all students be tested every year in mathematics and reading. Schools that fail to show significant improvement would become eligible for federal funds for tutoring, teacher training, and other services. The reform proposals must still receive approval from the full Congress, but are expected to pass with little difficulty.