The President's budget and the House Committee on Appropriations have no more federal funding for Parent Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) and Arts in Education programs (AIE). The National PTA urges calls to the Senate to restore federal dollars for programs essential for meeting NCLB standards.

Families paying off college loans will now know how much more they owe in interest rates, after the July 1 hike. Future students may yet face sticker shock. The higher interest rates are part of the federal budget deal cut last year. Mobilize.org is calling on Congress to increase federal subsidies to help students offset the costs of investing in their college education.