FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 26, 2011

CONTACT:
Tia T. Gordon
TTG+Partners
(202) 906-0149
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STATEMENT

COUNCIL FOR OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION’S RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), the only higher education organization whose mission is to advance and defend the idea of equal opportunity in postsecondary education, is deeply concerned about President Obama's continued lack of commitment to the federal TRIO* programs. During last night's State of the Union address, President Obama failed to directly address the United States' role in helping to increase access and success for millions of low-income, first-generation, and minority students who are also TRIO participants. He also failed to recognize that any educational reform strategy aimed at low-income families and communities requires appropriate interventions like the TRIO programs if it is to be either equitable or sustainable.

While President Obama continues to spotlight former TRIO student Daniel Hernandez—who is credited with saving the life of Congresswoman Giffords and who was a guest of the First Family at last night’s State of the Union address—COE requests that he consider saving nearly 200 TRIO Upward Bound programs, which are at risk of being eliminated at the end of this calendar year. The Obama Administration must include a $57 million increase in its fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget request to save these programs, which were funded by mandatory monies provided by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. This funding will expire in December 2011—locking out 12,000 students who count on TRIO to provide immediate and real-time support services.

COE strongly encourages President Obama to include this funding in his budget request. A clear, comprehensive, and uniform FY 2012 education budget is necessary to ensure that students like Daniel, and all Americans, will continue to reap the benefits of equal educational opportunity.

TRIO is the umbrella program for Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The program serves nearly 840,000 low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities.

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The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is the only national organization dedicated to furthering the expansion of postsecondary opportunities for low-income and first-generation students. Established in 1981, COE serves the interests of college opportunity professionals at major U.S. higher education institutions. Through nearly 3,000 Federal TRIO Programs, these individuals help low-income and first-generation students overcome class, social, academic, and cultural barriers to enter college and graduate. COE provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, educational resources, and networking opportunities as well as offers research and information through the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education and the Louis Stokes Institute for Opportunity in STEM Education.