The Washington Post reports that President Obama has proposed a $50.7 billion budget for the Department of Education in the 2011 fiscal year. That is an increase of 9.7 percent from it’s current level. If Congress rewrites “No Child Left Behind”, an addition $1 billion has been appropriated to funding additional Pell Grants.

Within the proposed education budget there is $900 million for fixing schools who are lagging behind, which amounts to an increase of about 65 percent. Also, “$500 million for investing in innovation, extending an initiative for local school systems and nonprofit organizations that was launched under the stimulus law; and $490 million for ‘expanding educational options,’ including public charter schools, up 20 percent.”

The budget would pump up competitive grant funding, including $1.35 billion to extend the Race to the Top school reform initiative, but would leave major formula-driven programs largely flat. That reflects Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s goal of spurring reform through incentives.

It is clear the Obama administration is making education a key component of it’s plans in domestic policy. One of the various programs which will receive increased funding is the “Race to the Top” program, which will announce it’s first round of state winners this April. Local school districts are expected to be able to compete in the upcoming rounds.

For the full budget request, click here..

Photo (via Columbia University)