Across-the-board federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, scheduled to take effect next week, will have a dramatic effect on education, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. Already, he noted, school districts are planning layoffs and taking other steps in response to the potential cut of more than $1.3 billion in education spending, which funds programs for many children from low-income families and students with disabilities. "There's no one in their right mind who would say that this is good for kids or good for the country, yet somehow it becomes tenable in Washington," Duncan said.