Work programs aren't working, Ed. Department says; proposed administration budget slashes student loans.(dateline washington)

Traditional federal aid to education will face a lean year next year if the administration gets its way. The Bush administration proposed an education budget for fiscal year 2007 that would eliminate funding for vocational and adult education and retain last year's figures for many programs, such as the federal Work-Study program and assistance for institutions if they serve each of several minorities. The budget also would include some small new initiatives, but these depend on successful reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which will expire at the end of March.

The Vocational and Adult Education Act, subject to reauthorization this year, wouldn't be continued, in the …