STATEMENT ON STATUS OF ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS, NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1959 The 85th Congress made available for the initiation of the National Defense Education Act an interim appropriation of $40 million which has now been committed. These funds while insufficient to fulfill the first year's program requirements have been extremely valuable in getting program actions underway in the States and in institutions which would otherwise have been impossible this fiscal year. We are now anxiously awaiting the enactment of the supplemental appropriation of $75 million passed by both Houses of Congress and now before the conference committee of both Houses. APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1960 The House of Representatives has passed the President's request for funds for "Defense education activities" for fiscal year 1960 and has recommended that all funds requested be approved. The sums amount to $150 million as compared to the $115 million to be appropriated in 1959. These additional funds will permit important advances in all National Defense Education Act activities next year. A hearing on this request was held before the Senate Committee on Appropriations last week and we are confident that our requests will likewise receive favorable consideration by that committee. The following table will summarize the appropriation status for fiscal years 1959 and 1960: Appropriation estimates and authorizations, National Defense Education Act, fiscal years 1959 and 1960 1 Includes interim appropriation of $40,000,000 and pending supplemental of $75,300,000. Additional $25,000,000 authorized, as necessary, for Federal loans to educational institutions for nonFederal share of loan funds. Estimated requirements. Estimated requirements; indefinite amount authorized but no State may receive in excess of $50,000 for any one fiscal year. PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS The administrative funds appropriated by the 85th Congress last year enabled the Office to establish some 150 new positions of which 130 are now filled. When the supplemental funds become available another 128 positions will be authorized, including 28 in the field and 100 at headquarters. The fiscal year 1960 budget provides for 45 additional positions to administer the new programs. The total staff for National Defense Education Act will include 323 positions when all funds are available. In approving the funds requested for administra tion for fiscal year 1960 the House Committee on Appropriations commented favorably on the success of the Office in launching the National Defense Education Act. The rapid expansion of the Office staff has created many operating problems some of which have been solved and others remain to be solved. We have been extremely fortunate in the caliber of new personnel recruited for the programs. An unusual number of highly qualified specialists have accepted assignments, in many cases on a temporary basis, to direct the new activities. Several of these have endured financial sacrifices to serve the Office in its new ventures. However, it is a continuing source of difficulty that our salary structure does not enable the recruitment and retention of persons qualified and willing to accept career assignments on a more permanent basis. We have found time after time that the persons we need for high level leadership positions are receiving salaries and benefits at universities or in school systems in excess of these we can offer. The expanding staff has of course created a problem of adequate office space. After a period of temporary makeshifts, the Office has been provided with new quarters in the renovated and modernized GSA Building at 7th and D Streets SW. This building which has been converted from warehouse use has provided the additional space needed to house our new staff. However, its separation from the rest of the Office of Education presents a serious administrative problem and one which we trust will not be unduly prolonged. Fiscal procedures and techniques are being developed to assure adequate protection of the Federal interest on the one hand and to minimize Federal audit-type inspections on the other hand. Audits of State agency programs will be confined to the maximum extent possible to State agency records and thus avoid audits of local agencies. In the case of institutions of higher learning we plan to coordinate fiscal reviews with constructive accounting assistance to institutions in setting up effective systems and reports, especially in the case of the student loan program. It is our intention to give assistance and concentrate services in those institutions which evidence the greatest need for this type of help. These new programs have required the Office to make substantial advances in its fiscal services and competency. HEARINGS BEFORE A JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON H.R. 3540, H.R. 3302, H.R. 4473, and H.R. 4474 AND RELATED BILLS REGARDING LABOR-MANAGEMENT REFORM LEGISLATION 38488 HEARINGS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C., PART 1 Printed for the use of the Committee on Education and Labor UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1959 |