Many communities need to be building more schools now. College enrollment for fall 2000 also set a record of 15.1 million. For the first time, the department report predicted school growth through the next century. These numbers will grow, officials say, because of increasing immigration to this country and a second American baby boom, coming two generations after the record births in the middle of the 20th century. A bipartisan group of 226 House members stands ready to vote for the plan, said Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, the tax law panel.
Figures show suburban schools also are bursting.
Some of the counties surrounding Atlanta and Washington have nearly doubled their school enrollments over the decade. California, Texas and New York expect to enroll the most children this year. Nevada, Arizona and Florida have posted the highest rates of student growth over the last decade. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.