One idea floating around Capitol Hill in December elicited groans from education organizations. The Bush administration let it be known that it was considering eliminating the $1.2 billion budget for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act with the goal of using the money to alleviate chronic Pell grant program shortfalls.

Perkins funds go to two-year colleges and high schools to help pay for equipment, staff development, developmental classes and curriculum design. The funds support students who are pursuing careers in the trades.

Shortly after rumors that the administration wanted to end the program began to spread, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) addressed the issue in a speech she delivered at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Sen. Clinton said she had written to the president beseeching him not to rob "Perkins to pay for Pell." The president's budget plan is expected to be released in February.  [Barbara McKenna]

[December 19, 2002]