Magnet School Resources

Proposed Amendments to Student Success Act Would Increase Magnet School Funding

February 25, 2015–This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Student Success Act (HR 5). This legislation would reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as “No Child Left Behind”). John Kline (R-MN), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, is the bill’s sponsor. (Additional resources related to the Student Success Act can be found here.)

Although the Student Success Act, as proposed, would reauthorize the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), it would keep MSAP funding at its current (post-sequester) level of $91.6 million until 2021.

Two amendments have been introduced that would increase funding to MSAP:

  1. One amendment, sponsored by Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL), would restore cuts to the program that have occurred over the last five years. It would return MSAP funding to the FY 2010 level of $100 million and replenish $8.4 million in cuts.
  2. Another amendment, sponsored by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), would increase funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program by more than $200 million and extend the length of the MSAP grant from three to five years. This amendment is included in the Democrat substitute bill to HR 5.

If you support these two amendments, contact your elected officials and encourage them to pass them!

Magnet Schools of America has prepared this pre-drafted message or you can call their offices directly. You can also acknowledge Representatives Castor and Courtney for their support via Twitter: @USRepKCastor and @RepJoeCourtney

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