[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
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[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED

                                 ______


                    GOALS 2000: EDUCATE AMERICA ACT

                                 ______


                       KENNEDY AMENDMENT NO. 1356

  Mr. KENNEDY proposed an amendment to the bill (S. 1150) to improve 
learning and teaching by providing a national framework for education 
reform; to promote the research, consensus building, and systemic 
changes needed to ensure equitable educational opportunities and high 
levels of educational achievement for all American students; to provide 
a framework for reauthorization of all Federal education programs; to 
promote the development and adoption of a voluntary national system of 
skill standards and certifications; and for other purposes; as follows:

       Strike all after the enacting clause, and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--Titles I through IV of this Act may be 
     cited as the ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents is as 
     follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

                   TITLE I--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS

Sec. 101. Purpose.
Sec. 102. National education goals.

    TITLE II--NATIONAL EDUCATION REFORM LEADERSHIP, STANDARDS, AND 
                              ASSESSMENTS

                 Part A--National Education Goals Panel

Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. National education goals panel.
Sec. 203. Duties.
Sec. 204. Powers of the goals panel.
Sec. 205. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 206. Director and staff; experts and consultants.

      Part B--National Education Standards and Improvement Council

Sec. 211. Purpose.
Sec. 212. National Education Standards and Improvement Council.
Sec. 213. Duties.
Sec. 214. Annual reports.
Sec. 215. Powers of the council.
Sec. 216. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 217. Director and staff; experts and consultants.
Sec. 218. Opportunity-to-learn development grant.

              Part C--Leadership in Educational Technology

Sec. 221. Purposes.
Sec. 222. Federal leadership.
Sec. 223. Office of Educational Technology.
Sec. 224. Uses of funds.
Sec. 225. Non-Federal share.
Sec. 226. Office of Training Technology Transfer.

                Part D--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 231. Authorization of appropriations.

       TITLE III--STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 301. Findings.
Sec. 302. Purpose.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 304. Allotment of funds.
Sec. 305. State applications.
Sec. 306. State improvement plans.
Sec. 307. Secretary's review of applications; payments.
Sec. 308. State use of funds.
Sec. 309. Subgrants for local reform and professional development.
Sec. 310. Availability of information and training.
Sec. 311. Waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements.
Sec. 312. Progress reports.
Sec. 313. National leadership.
Sec. 314. Assistance to the outlying areas and to the Secretary of the 
              Interior.
Sec. 315. Clarification regarding State standards and assessments.
Sec. 316. State planning for improving student achievement through 
              integration of technology into the curriculum.

                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 401. Public schools.
Sec. 402. Construction.

                TITLE V--NATIONAL SKILL STANDARDS BOARD

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Purpose.
Sec. 503. Establishment of National Board.
Sec. 504. Functions of the National Board.
Sec. 505. Deadlines.
Sec. 506. Reports.
Sec. 507. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 508. Definitions.
Sec. 509. Sunset provision.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this Act to provide a framework for 
     meeting the National Education Goals described in title I of 
     this Act by--
       (1) promoting coherent, nationwide, systemic education 
     reform;
       (2) improving the quality of teaching and learning in the 
     classroom;
       (3) defining appropriate and coherent Federal, State, and 
     local roles and responsibilities for education reform;
       (4) establishing valid, reliable, and fair mechanisms for--
       (A) building a broad national consensus on United States 
     education reform;
       (B) assisting in the development and certification of high-
     quality, internationally competitive content and student 
     performance standards;
       (C) assisting in the development and certification of 
     opportunity-to-learn standards; and
       (D) assisting in the development and certification of high-
     quality assessment measures that reflect the internationally 
     competitive content and student performance standards;
       (5) supporting new initiatives at the Federal, State, 
     local, and school levels to provide equal educational 
     opportunity for all students to meet high standards; and
       (6) providing a framework for the reauthorization of all 
     Federal education programs by--
       (A) creating a vision of excellence and equity that will 
     guide all Federal education and related programs;
       (B) providing for the establishment of high-quality, 
     internationally competitive content and student performance 
     standards that all students, including disadvantaged 
     students, students with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural 
     backgrounds, students with disabilities, students with 
     limited-English proficiency, and academically talented 
     students, will be expected to achieve;
       (C) providing for the establishment of high quality, 
     internationally competitive opportunity-to-learn standards 
     that all States, local educational agencies, and schools 
     should achieve;
       (D) encouraging and enabling all State educational agencies 
     and local educational agencies to develop comprehensive 
     improvement plans that will provide a coherent framework for 
     the implementation of reauthorized Federal education and 
     related programs in an integrated fashion that effectively 
     educates all children; and
       (E) providing resources to help individual schools, 
     including schools serving students with high needs, develop 
     and implement comprehensive improvement plans.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act (other than in title V)--
       (1) the term ``all children'' means children from all 
     backgrounds and circumstances, including disadvantaged 
     children, children with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural 
     backgrounds, children with disabilities, children with 
     limited-English proficiency, children who have dropped out of 
     school, and academically talented children;
       (2) the term ``all students'' means students from a broad 
     range of backgrounds and circumstances, including 
     disadvantaged students, students with diverse racial, ethnic, 
     and cultural backgrounds, students with disabilities, 
     students with limited-English proficiency, students who have 
     dropped out of school, and academically talented students;
       (3) the term ``assessment'' means the overall process and 
     instrument used to measure student attainment of content 
     standards, except that such term need not include the 
     discrete items that comprise each assessment;
       (4) the term ``content standards'' means broad descriptions 
     of the knowledge and skills students should acquire in a 
     particular subject area;
       (5) the term ``Governor'' means the chief executive of the 
     State;
       (6) the term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 1471(12) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965, except that such term may 
     include a public school council if such council is mandated 
     by State law;
       (7) the term ``opportunity-to-learn standards'' means the 
     conditions of teaching and learning necessary for all 
     students to have a fair opportunity to learn, including ways 
     of measuring the extent to which such standards are being 
     met;
       (8) the term ``outlying areas'' means Guam, American Samoa, 
     the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, Palau (until the effective date of the Compact of 
     Free Association with the Government of Palau), and the 
     Freely Associated States;
       (9) the term ``performance standards'' means concrete 
     examples and explicit definitions of what students have to 
     know and be able to do to demonstrate that such students are 
     proficient in the skills and knowledge framed by content 
     standards;
       (10) the term ``related services'' includes the types of 
     services described in section 602(17) of the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act;
       (11) the term ``school'' means a public school that is 
     under the authority of the State educational agency or a 
     local educational agency or, for the purpose of carrying out 
     section 314(b), a school that is operated or funded by the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs;
       (12) the term ``Secretary'', unless otherwise specified, 
     means the Secretary of Education;
       (13) the term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, the 
     District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 
     and
       (14) the term ``State educational agency'' has the same 
     meaning given such term in section 1471(23) of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
                   TITLE I--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS

     SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this title to establish National 
     Education Goals.

     SEC. 102. NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS.

       The Congress declares the National Education Goals are as 
     follows:
       (1) School readiness.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, all children in America will 
     start school ready to learn.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) all children, including disadvantaged and disabled 
     children, will have access to high-quality and 
     developmentally appropriate preschool programs that help 
     prepare children for school;
       (ii) every parent in the United States will be a child's 
     first teacher and devote time each day to helping such 
     parent's preschool child learn, and parents will have access 
     to the training and support parents need; and
       (iii) children will receive the nutrition, physical 
     activity experiences, and health care needed to arrive at 
     school with healthy minds and bodies, and the number of low-
     birthweight babies will be significantly reduced through 
     enhanced prenatal health systems.
       (2) School completion.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, the high school graduation 
     rate will increase to at least 90 percent.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) the Nation must dramatically reduce its high school 
     dropout rate, and 75 percent of high school students who do 
     drop out of school will successfully complete a high school 
     degree or its equivalent; and
       (ii) the gap in high school graduation rates between United 
     States students from minority backgrounds and their 
     nonminority counterparts will be eliminated.
       (3) Student achievement and citizenship.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, United States students will 
     leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency over 
     challenging subject matter including English, mathematics, 
     science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, 
     arts, history, and geography, and every school in the United 
     States will ensure that all students learn to use their minds 
     well, so students may be prepared for responsible 
     citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in 
     our Nation's modern economy.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) the academic performance of elementary and secondary 
     students will increase significantly in every quartile, and 
     the distribution of minority students in each quartile will 
     more closely reflect the student population as a whole;
       (ii) the percentage of students who demonstrate the ability 
     to reason, solve problems, apply knowledge, and write and 
     communicate effectively will increase substantially;
       (iii) all students will be involved in activities that 
     promote and demonstrate good citizenship, good health, 
     community service, and personal responsibility;
       (iv) all students will have access to physical education 
     and health education to ensure all students are healthy and 
     fit;
       (v) the percentage of students who are competent in more 
     than one language will substantially increase; and
       (vi) all students will be knowledgeable about the diverse 
     heritage of our Nation and about the world community.
       (4) Mathematics and science.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, United States students will be 
     first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) mathematics and science education, including the metric 
     system of measurement, will be strengthened throughout the 
     educational system, especially in the early grades;
       (ii) the number of teachers with a substantive background 
     in mathematics and science will increase by 50 percent from 
     the number of such teachers in 1992; and
       (iii) the number of United States undergraduate and 
     graduate students, especially women and minorities, who 
     complete degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering 
     will increase significantly.
       (5) Adult literacy and lifelong learning.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, every adult United States 
     citizen will be literate and will possess the knowledge and 
     skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise 
     the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) every major United States business will be involved in 
     strengthening the connection between education and work;
       (ii) all workers will have the opportunity to acquire the 
     knowledge and skills, from basic to highly technical, needed 
     to adapt to emerging new technologies, work methods, and 
     markets through public and private educational, vocational, 
     technical, workplace, or other programs;
       (iii) the number of quality programs, including programs at 
     libraries, that are designed to serve more effectively the 
     needs of the growing number of part-time and mid-career 
     students, will increase substantially;
       (iv) the proportion of qualified students, especially 
     minorities, who enter college, who complete at least 2 years 
     of college, and who complete their degree programs, will 
     increase substantially; and
       (v) the proportion of college graduates who demonstrate an 
     advanced ability to think critically, communicate 
     effectively, and solve problems will increase substantially.
       (6) Safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, every school in the United 
     States will be free of drugs and violence and will offer a 
     disciplined environment conducive to learning.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal described in 
     subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) every school will implement a firm and fair policy on 
     use, possession, and distribution of drugs and alcohol;
       (ii) parents, businesses, governmental and community 
     organizations will work together to ensure that schools 
     provide a healthy environment and are a safe haven for all 
     children;
       (iii) every school district will develop a sequential, 
     comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade drug and 
     alcohol prevention education program;
       (iv) drug and alcohol curriculum should be taught as an 
     integral part of sequential, comprehensive health education;
       (v) community-based teams should be organized to provide 
     students and teachers with needed support; and
       (vi) every school should work to eliminate sexual 
     harassment.
       (7) Parental participation.--
       (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, every school will promote 
     partnerships that will increase parental involvement and 
     participation in promoting the social, emotional and academic 
     growth of children.
       (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the Goal established 
     under subparagraph (A) are that--
       (i) every State will develop policies to assist local 
     schools and school districts to establish programs for 
     increasing partnerships that respond to the varying needs of 
     parents and the home, including parents of children who are 
     disadvantaged or bilingual, or parents of children with 
     disabilities;
       (ii) every school will actively engage parents and families 
     in a partnership which supports the academic work of children 
     at home and shared educational decision-making at school; and
       (iii) parents and families will help to ensure that schools 
     are adequately supported and will hold schools and teachers 
     to high standards of accountability.
    TITLE II--NATIONAL EDUCATION REFORM LEADERSHIP, STANDARDS, AND 
                              ASSESSMENTS

                 PART A--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this part to establish a bipartisan 
     mechanism for--
       (1) building a national consensus for education 
     improvement;
       (2) reporting on progress toward achieving the National 
     Education Goals;
       (3) periodically reviewing the goals and objectives 
     described in title I and recommending adjustments to such 
     goals and objectives, as needed, in order to guarantee 
     education reform that continues to provide guidance for 
     quality, world class education for all students; and
       (4) reviewing and approving the voluntary national content 
     standards, voluntary national student performance standards 
     and voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards 
     certified by the National Education Standards and Improvement 
     Council, as well as the criteria for the certification of 
     such standards, and the criteria for the certification of 
     State assessments or systems of assessments certified by such 
     Council.

     SEC. 202. NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the executive 
     branch a National Education Goals Panel (hereafter in this 
     title referred to as the ``Goals Panel'').
       (b) Composition.--The Goals Panel shall be composed of 18 
     members (hereafter in this part referred to as ``members''), 
     including--
       (1) two members appointed by the President;
       (2) eight members who are Governors, 3 of whom shall be 
     from the same political party as the President and 5 of whom 
     shall be of the opposite political party of the President, 
     appointed by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the 
     National Governors' Association, with the Chairperson and 
     Vice Chairperson each appointing representatives of such 
     Chairperson's or Vice Chairperson's respective political 
     party, in consultation with each other;
       (3) four Members of the Congress, of whom--
       (A) one member shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of 
     the Senate from among the Members of the Senate;
       (B) one member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
     the Senate from among the Members of the Senate;
       (C) one member shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of 
     the House of Representatives from among the Members of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (D) one member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
     the House of Representatives from among the Members of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (4) four members of State legislatures appointed by the 
     President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, 
     of whom 2 shall be of the same political party as the 
     President of the United States.
       (c) Special Appointment Rules.--
       (1) In general.--The members appointed pursuant to 
     subsection (b)(2) shall be appointed as follows:
       (A) If the Chairperson of the National Governors' 
     Association is from the same political party as the 
     President, the Chairperson shall appoint 3 individuals and 
     the Vice Chairperson of such association shall appoint 5 
     individuals.
       (B) If the Chairperson of the National Governors' 
     Association is from the opposite political party as the 
     President, the Chairperson shall appoint 5 individuals and 
     the Vice Chairperson of such association shall appoint 3 
     individuals.
       (2) Special rule.--If the National Governors' Association 
     has appointed a panel that meets the requirements of 
     subsections (b) and (c), except for the requirements of 
     paragraph (4) of subsection (b), prior to the date of 
     enactment of this Act, then the members serving on such panel 
     shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of 
     such subsections and shall not be required to be reappointed 
     pursuant to such subsections.
       (d) Terms.--The terms of service of members shall be as 
     follows:
       (1) Presidential appointees.--Members appointed under 
     subsection (b)(1) shall serve at the pleasure of the 
     President.
       (2) Governors.--Members appointed under paragraph (2) of 
     subsection (b) shall serve a 2-year term, except that the 
     initial appointments under such paragraph shall be made to 
     ensure staggered terms with one-half of such members' terms 
     concluding every 2 years.
       (3) Congressional appointees and state legislators.--
     Members appointed under paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection 
     (b) shall serve for 2-year terms.
       (e) Date of Appointment.--The initial members shall be 
     appointed not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (f) Initiation.--The Goals Panel may begin to carry out its 
     duties under this part when 10 members of the Goals Panel 
     have been appointed.
       (g) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Goals Panel shall not 
     affect the powers of the Goals Panel, but shall be filled in 
     the same manner as the original appointment.
       (h) Travel.--Each member may be allowed travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
     section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for each day the 
     member is engaged in the performance of duties for the Goals 
     Panel away from the home or regular place of business of the 
     member.
       (i) Chairperson.--
       (1) In general.--The members shall select a Chairperson 
     from among the members described in paragraph (2) of 
     subsection (b).
       (2) Term and political affiliation.--The Chairperson of the 
     Goals Panel shall serve a 1-year term and shall alternate 
     between political parties.

     SEC. 203. DUTIES.

       (a) In General.--The Goals Panel shall--
       (1) report on the progress the Nation and the States are 
     making toward achieving the National Education Goals 
     described in title I, including issuing an annual national 
     report card;
       (2) submit to the President nominations for appointment to 
     the National Education Standards and Improvement Council in 
     accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 212;
       (3) review and approve (or explain why approval is 
     withheld) the--
       (A) criteria developed by the National Education Standards 
     and Improvement Council for the certification of content and 
     student performance standards, assessments or systems of 
     assessments, and opportunity-to-learn standards; and
       (B) voluntary national content standards, voluntary 
     national student performance standards and voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards certified by such Council;
       (4) report on promising or effective actions being taken at 
     the national, State, and local levels, and in the public and 
     private sectors, to achieve the National Education Goals; and
       (5) help build a nationwide, bipartisan consensus for the 
     reforms necessary to achieve the National Education Goals.
       (b) National Report Card.--
       (1) In general.--The Goals Panel shall annually prepare and 
     submit to the President, the Secretary, the appropriate 
     committees of the Congress, and the Governor of each State a 
     national report card that shall--
       (A) report on the progress of the United States toward 
     achieving the National Education Goals; and
       (B) identify actions that should be taken by Federal, 
     State, and local governments to enhance progress toward 
     achieving the National Education Goals.
       (2) Form; data.--National report cards shall be presented 
     in a form, and include data, that is understandable to 
     parents and the general public.

     SEC. 204. POWERS OF THE GOALS PANEL.

       (a) Hearings.--
       (1) In general.--The Goals Panel shall, for the purpose of 
     carrying out this part, conduct such hearings, sit and act at 
     such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
     evidence, as the Goals Panel considers appropriate.
       (2) Representation.--In carrying out this part, the Goals 
     Panel shall conduct hearings to receive reports, views, and 
     analyses of a broad spectrum of experts and the public on the 
     establishment of voluntary national content, voluntary 
     national student performance standards, voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards, and State assessments or 
     systems of assessments described in section 213(e).
       (b) Information.--The Goals Panel may secure directly from 
     any department or agency of the Federal Government 
     information necessary to enable the Goals Panel to carry out 
     this part. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Goals 
     Panel, the head of any such department or agency shall 
     furnish such information to the Goals Panel to the extent 
     permitted by law.
       (c) Postal Services.--The Goals Panel may use the United 
     States mail in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
       (d) Use of Facilities.--The Goals Panel may use the 
     research, equipment, services, and facilities of any 
     department, agency or instrumentality of the Federal 
     Government, or of any State or political subdivision thereof 
     with the consent of such department, agency, instrumentality, 
     State or subdivision, respectively.
       (e) Administrative Arrangements and Support.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the Goals 
     Panel, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support 
     services as the Goals Panel may request.
       (2) Contracts and other arrangements.--The Secretary shall, 
     to the extent appropriate, and on a reimbursable basis, make 
     contracts and other arrangements that are requested by the 
     Goals Panel to help the Goals Panel compile and analyze data 
     or carry out other functions necessary to the performance of 
     the Goals Panel's responsibilities.

     SEC. 205. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       (a) Meetings.--The Goals Panel shall meet on a regular 
     basis, as necessary, at the call of the Chairperson of the 
     Goals Panel or a majority of the members of the Goals Panel.
       (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a 
     quorum for the transaction of business.
       (c) Voting.--No individual may vote, or exercise any of the 
     powers of a member, by proxy.
       (d) Public Access.--The Goals Panel shall ensure public 
     access to the proceedings of the Goals Panel (other than 
     proceedings, or portions of proceedings, relating to internal 
     personnel and management matters) and shall make available to 
     the public, at reasonable cost, transcripts of such 
     proceedings.

     SEC. 206. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

       (a) Director.--The Chairperson of the Goals Panel, without 
     regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     relating to the appointment and compensation of officers or 
     employees of the United States, shall appoint a Director to 
     be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable 
     for level V of the Executive Schedule.
       (b) Appointment and Pay of Employees.--
       (1) In general.--(A) The Director may appoint not more than 
     4 additional employees to serve as staff to the Goals Panel 
     without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
     Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.
       (B) The employees appointed under subparagraph (A) may be 
     paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates, but shall not 
     be paid a rate that exceeds the maximum rate of basic pay 
     payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
       (2) Additional employees.--The Director may appoint 
     additional employees to serve as staff to the Goals Panel in 
     accordance with title 5, United States Code.
       (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Goals Panel may procure 
     temporary and intermittent services of experts and 
     consultants under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       (d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon the request of the 
     Goals Panel, the head of any department or agency of the 
     United States may detail any of the personnel of such 
     department to the Goals Panel to assist the Goals Panel in 
     carrying out its responsibilities under this part.

     SEC. 207. EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSESSMENT.

       (a) In general.--The Goals Panel shall support the work of 
     its Resource and Technical Planning Groups on School 
     Readiness (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the 
     ``Groups'') to improve the methods of assessing the readiness 
     of all children for school that lead to alternatives to 
     currently used norm-referenced early childhood assessments.
       (b) Activities.--The Groups shall--
       (1) develop a model of elements of school readiness that 
     address a broad range of early childhood developmental needs;
       (2) create clear guidelines regarding the nature, 
     functions, and uses of early childhood assessments, based on 
     model elements of school readiness;
       (3) monitor and evaluate early childhood assessments, 
     including the ability of existing assessments to provide 
     valid information on the readiness of children for school; 
     and
       (4) monitor and report on the long-term collection of data 
     on the status of young children to improve policy and 
     practice, including the need for new sources of data 
     necessary to assess the broad range of early childhood 
     developmental needs.
       (c) Advice.--The Groups shall advise and assist the 
     Congress, the Secretary, the Goals Panel, and others 
     regarding how to improve the assessment of young children and 
     how such assessments can improve services to children.
       (d) Report.--The Goals Panel shall provide reports on the 
     work of the Groups to the Congress, the Secretary, and the 
     public.

      PART B--NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL

     SEC. 211. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this part to establish a mechanism 
     to--
       (1) certify voluntary national content standards and 
     voluntary national student performance standards that define 
     what all students should know and be able to do;
       (2) certify challenging State content and student 
     performance standards submitted by States on a voluntary 
     basis, if such standards are comparable in rigor and quality 
     to the voluntary national content standards and voluntary 
     national student performance standards certified by the 
     National Education Standards and Improvement Council;
       (3) certify voluntary national opportunity-to-learn 
     standards that describe the conditions of teaching and 
     learning necessary for all students to have a fair 
     opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills described in 
     the voluntary national content standards and the voluntary 
     national student performance standards certified by the 
     National Education Standards and Improvement Council;
       (4) certify comprehensive State opportunity-to-learn 
     standards submitted by States on a voluntary basis that--
       (A) describe the conditions of teaching and learning 
     necessary for all students to have a fair opportunity to 
     learn; and
       (B) address the elements described in section 213(c)(3); 
     and
       (5) certify assessments or systems of assessments submitted 
     by States or groups of States on a voluntary basis, if such 
     assessments or systems--
       (A) are aligned with and support State content standards 
     certified by such Council; and
       (B) are valid, reliable, and fair when used for their 
     intended purposes.

     SEC. 212. NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND IMPROVEMENT 
                   COUNCIL.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the executive 
     branch a National Education Standards and Improvement Council 
     (hereafter in this part referred to as the ``Council'').
       (b) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of 19 
     members (hereafter in this part referred to as ``members'') 
     appointed by the President from nominations submitted by the 
     Goals Panel.
       (c) Qualifications.--
       (1) In general.--The members of the Council shall include--
       (A) five professional educators appointed from among 
     elementary and secondary classroom teachers, preschool 
     educators, related services personnel, and other school-based 
     professionals, State or local educational agency 
     administrators, or other educators;
       (B) four representatives of business and industry or 
     postsecondary educational institutions, including at least 1 
     representative of business and industry who is also a member 
     of the National Skill Standards Board established pursuant to 
     title V;
       (C) five representatives of the public, appointed from 
     among representatives of advocacy, civil rights, and 
     disability groups, parents, civic leaders, tribal 
     governments, or State or local education policymakers 
     (including members of State or local school boards); and
       (D) five education experts, appointed from among experts in 
     measurement and assessment, curriculum, school finance and 
     equity, or school reform.
       (2) Nominations.--The Goals Panel shall submit to the 
     President at least 15 nominations for each of the 4 
     categories of appointment described in subparagraphs (A) 
     through (D) of paragraph (1).
       (3) Representation.--To the extent feasible, the membership 
     of the Council shall--
       (A) be geographically representative of the United States 
     and reflect the diversity of the United States with respect 
     to race, ethnicity, gender and disability characteristics; 
     and
       (B) include persons from each of the 4 categories described 
     in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) who have 
     expertise in the education of subgroups of students who are 
     at risk of school failure.
       (d) Terms.--
       (1) In general.--Members shall be appointed for 3-year 
     terms, with no member serving more than 2 consecutive terms.
       (2) Initial terms.--The President shall establish initial 
     terms for members of 1, 2, or 3 years in order to establish a 
     rotation in which one-third of the members are selected each 
     year.
       (e) Date of Appointment.--The initial members shall be 
     appointed not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (f) Initiation.--The Council shall begin to carry out the 
     duties of the Council under this part when all 19 members 
     have been appointed.
       (g) Retention.--In order to retain an appointment to the 
     Council, a member shall attend at least two-thirds of the 
     scheduled meetings, and hearings when appropriate, of the 
     Council in any given year.
       (h) Vacancy.--A vacancy on the Council shall not affect the 
     powers of the Council, but shall be filled in the same manner 
     as the original appointment.
       (i) Compensation.--Members who are not regular full-time 
     employees of the United States, while attending meetings or 
     hearings of the Council, may be provided compensation at a 
     rate fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the maximum 
     rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
       (j) Travel.--Each member of the Council may be allowed 
     travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
     as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
     for each day the member is engaged in the performance of 
     duties for the Council away from the home or regular place of 
     business of the member.
       (k) Officers.--The members shall select officers of the 
     Council from among the members. The officers of the Council 
     shall serve for 1-year terms.
       (l) Conflict of Interest.--No member, staff, expert, or 
     consultant assisting the Council shall be appointed to the 
     Council--
       (1) if such member, staff, expert, or consultant has a 
     fiduciary interest in an educational assessment; and
       (2) unless such member, staff, expert, or consultant agrees 
     that such member, staff, expert, or consultant, respectively, 
     will not obtain such an interest for a period of 2 years from 
     the date of termination of such member's service on the 
     Council.

     SEC. 213. DUTIES.

       (a) Voluntary National Content Standards; Voluntary 
     National Student Performance Standards.--
       (1) In general.--The Council, upon recommendation from a 
     working group on voluntary national content standards, 
     shall--
       (A) identify areas in which voluntary national content 
     standards need to be developed;
       (B) certify voluntary national content standards and 
     voluntary national student performance standards that define 
     what all students should know and be able to do; and
       (C) forward such voluntary national content standards and 
     voluntary national student performance standards to the Goals 
     Panel for approval.
       (2) Criteria.--(A) The Council, upon recommendation from a 
     working group on voluntary national content standards and 
     voluntary national student performance standards, shall--
       (i) identify and develop criteria to be used for certifying 
     the voluntary national content standards and voluntary 
     national student performance standards; and
       (ii) before applying such criteria, forward such criteria 
     to the Goals Panel for approval.
       (B) The criteria developed by the Council shall address--
       (i) the extent to which the proposed standards are 
     internationally competitive and comparable to the best 
     standards in the world;
       (ii) the extent to which the proposed voluntary national 
     content standards and voluntary national student performance 
     standards reflect the best available knowledge about how all 
     students learn and about how a content area can be most 
     effectively taught;
       (iii) the extent to which the proposed voluntary national 
     content standards and voluntary national student performance 
     standards have been developed through an open and public 
     process that provides for input and involvement of all 
     relevant parties, including teachers, related services 
     personnel, and other professional educators, employers and 
     postsecondary education institutions, curriculum and subject 
     matter specialists, parents, secondary school students, and 
     the public; and
       (iv) other factors that the Council deems appropriate.
       (C) In developing the criteria, the Council shall work with 
     entities that are developing, or have already developed, 
     content standards, and any other entities that the Council 
     deems appropriate, to identify appropriate certification 
     criteria.
       (b) Voluntary State Content Standards; Voluntary State 
     Student Performance Standards.--The Council may certify 
     challenging State content and student performance standards 
     presented on a voluntary basis by a State or group of States, 
     if such standards are comparable in rigor and quality to the 
     voluntary national content standards and voluntary national 
     student performance standards certified by the Council.
       (c) Voluntary National Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--
       (1) In general.--The Council, upon recommendation from a 
     working group on voluntary national opportunity-to-learn 
     standards, shall certify exemplary, voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards that will establish a basis 
     for providing all students a fair opportunity to achieve the 
     knowledge and skills described in the voluntary national 
     content standards certified by the Council.
       (2) Requirement.--The voluntary national opportunity-to-
     learn standards shall be sufficiently general to be used by 
     any State without unduly restricting State and local 
     prerogatives regarding instructional methods to be employed.
       (3) Elements addressed.--The voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards certified by the Council shall 
     address--
       (A) the quality and availability of curricula, 
     instructional materials, and technologies;
       (B) the capability of teachers to provide high-quality 
     instruction to meet diverse learning needs in each content 
     area;
       (C) the extent to which teachers and administrators have 
     ready and continuing access to professional development, 
     including the best knowledge about teaching, learning, and 
     school improvement;
       (D) the extent to which curriculum, instructional 
     practices, and assessments are aligned to content standards; 
     and
       (E) other factors that the Council deems appropriate to 
     ensure that all students receive a fair opportunity to 
     achieve the knowledge and skills described in the voluntary 
     national content standards and the voluntary national student 
     performance standards certified by the Council.
       (4) Additional duties.--In carrying out this subsection, 
     the Council shall--
       (A) identify what other countries with rigorous content 
     standards do to--
       (i) provide their children with opportunities to learn;
       (ii) prepare their teachers; and
       (iii) provide continuing professional development 
     opportunities for their teachers; and
       (B) develop criteria to be used for certifying the 
     voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards and, before 
     applying such criteria, forward such criteria to the Goals 
     Panel for approval.
       (5) Recommendations and coordination.--The Council shall 
     assist in the development of the voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards by--
       (A) making recommendations to the Secretary regarding 
     priorities and selection criteria for each grant awarded 
     under section 218; and
       (B) coordinating with each consortium receiving a grant 
     under section 218 to ensure that the opportunity-to-learn 
     standards the consortium develops for all students are of 
     high quality and are consistent with the criteria developed 
     by the Council for the certification of such standards.
       (6) Approval.--The Council shall forward the voluntary 
     national opportunity-to-learn standards that the Council 
     certifies to the Goals Panel for approval.
       (d) Voluntary State Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--The 
     Council may certify comprehensive State opportunity-to-learn 
     standards presented on a voluntary basis by a State that--
       (1) describe the conditions of teaching and learning 
     necessary for all students to have a fair opportunity to 
     learn; and
       (2) address the elements described in section 213(c)(3).
       (e) Assessments.--
       (1) In general.--(A) The Council shall certify, for a 
     period not to exceed 5 years, an assessment of a single 
     subject area or a system of assessments involving several 
     subject areas presented on a voluntary basis by a State or 
     group of States if such assessment or system of assessments--
       (i) is aligned with such State's or group of States' 
     challenging State content standards certified by the Council;
       (ii) involves multiple measures of student performance; and
       (iii) provides for--
       (I) the participation of all students with diverse learning 
     needs in such assessment or system; and
       (II) the adaptations and accommodations necessary to permit 
     such participation.
       (B) Assessments or systems of assessments shall be 
     certified for the purpose of--
       (i) exemplifying for students, parents, and teachers the 
     kinds and levels of achievement that should be expected, 
     including the identification of student performance 
     standards;
       (ii) improving classroom instruction and improving the 
     learning outcomes for all students;
       (iii) informing students, parents, and teachers about 
     student progress toward such standards;
       (iv) measuring and motivating individual students, schools, 
     districts, States, and the Nation to improve educational 
     performance; and
       (v) assisting education policymakers in making decisions 
     about education programs.
       (2) Implementation.--(A)(i) The Council shall develop, and 
     not sooner than 3 years nor later than 4 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, begin utilizing, criteria for the 
     certification of an assessment or a system of assessments in 
     accordance with this subsection.
       (ii) The Council shall not certify an assessment or system 
     of assessments for a period of 3 years beginning on the date 
     of enactment of this Act, if such assessment or system will 
     be used to make decisions regarding graduation, grade 
     promotion, or retention of students.
       (iii) Before utilizing the criteria described in clause 
     (i), the Council shall forward such criteria to the Goals 
     Panel for approval.
       (B) The certification criteria described in this paragraph 
     shall address the extent to which an assessment or a system 
     of assessments--
       (i)(I) is aligned with a State's or a group of States' 
     challenging State content standards, if such State or group 
     has challenging State content standards that have been 
     certified by the Council; and
       (II) will support effective curriculum and instruction;
       (ii) is to be used for a purpose for which such assessment 
     or system is valid, reliable, fair, and free of 
     discrimination; and
       (iii) includes all students, especially students with 
     disabilities or with limited-English proficiency.
       (C) In determining appropriate certification criteria under 
     this paragraph, the Council shall--
       (i) consider standards and criteria being developed by 
     other national organizations and recent research on 
     assessment;
       (ii) recommend needed research;
       (iii) encourage the development and field testing of 
     assessments or systems of assessments; and
       (iv) provide a public forum for discussing, debating, and 
     building consensus for the criteria to be used for the 
     certification of assessments or systems of assessments.
       (D) Prior to determining the certification criteria 
     described in this paragraph, the Council shall take public 
     comment on its proposed certification criteria.
       (f) Performance of Duties.--In carrying out its 
     responsibilities under this title, the Council shall--
       (1) work with Federal and non-Federal departments, 
     agencies, or organizations that are conducting research, 
     studies, or demonstration projects to determine 
     internationally competitive education standards and 
     assessments, and may establish subject matter and other 
     panels to advise the Council on particular content, student 
     performance, and opportunity-to-learn standards and on 
     assessments or systems of assessments;
       (2) establish cooperative arrangements with the National 
     Skill Standards Board to promote the coordination of the 
     development of content and student performance standards 
     under this title with the development of skill standards 
     described in title V;
       (3) recommend studies to the Secretary that are necessary 
     to carry out the Council's responsibilities;
       (4) inform the public about what constitutes high quality, 
     internationally competitive, content, student performance, 
     and opportunity-to-learn standards, and assessments or 
     systems of assessments;
       (5) on a regular basis, review and update criteria for 
     certifying content, student performance, and opportunity-to-
     learn standards, and assessments or systems of assessments; 
     and
       (6) periodically recertify, as appropriate, the voluntary 
     national content standards, the voluntary national student 
     performance standards, and the voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards.
       (g) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
     to require any State to have standards certified pursuant to 
     subsection (b) or (d) in order to participate in any Federal 
     program.

     SEC. 214. ANNUAL REPORTS.

       Not later than 1 year after the date the Council concludes 
     its first meeting, and each year thereafter, the Council 
     shall prepare and submit a report regarding its work to the 
     President, the Secretary, the appropriate committees of the 
     Congress, the Governor of each State, and the Goals Panel.

     SEC. 215. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL.

       (a) Hearings.--
       (1) In general.--The Council shall, for the purpose of 
     carrying out its responsibilities, conduct such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence, as the Council considers appropriate.
       (2) Location.--In carrying out this part, the Council shall 
     conduct public hearings in different geographic areas of the 
     United States, both urban and rural, to receive the reports, 
     views, and analyses of a broad spectrum of experts and the 
     public on the establishment of voluntary national content 
     standards, voluntary national student performance standards, 
     voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards, and 
     assessments or systems of assessments described in section 
     213(e).
       (b) Information.--The Council may secure directly from any 
     department or agency of the Federal Government information 
     necessary to enable the Council to carry out this part. Upon 
     request of the Chairperson of the Council, the head of such 
     department or agency shall furnish such information to the 
     Council to the extent permitted by law.
       (c) Postal Services.--The Council may use the United States 
     mail in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
     other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
       (d) Use of Facilities.--The Council may use the research, 
     equipment, services, and facilities of any department, 
     agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any 
     State or political subdivision thereof with the consent of 
     such department, agency, instrumentality, State or 
     subdivision, respectively.
       (e) Administrative Arrangements and Support.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the 
     Council, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support 
     services as the Council may request.
       (2) Contracts and other arrangements.--The Secretary, to 
     the extent appropriate and on a reimbursable basis, shall 
     enter into contracts and other arrangements that are 
     requested by the Council to help the Council compile and 
     analyze data or carry out other functions necessary to the 
     performance of the Council's responsibilities.

     SEC. 216. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       (a) Meetings.--The Council shall meet on a regular basis, 
     as necessary, at the call of the Chairperson of the Council 
     or a majority of its members.
       (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a 
     quorum for the transaction of business.
       (c) Voting.--The Council shall take all action of the 
     Council by a majority vote of the total membership of the 
     Council, ensuring the right of the minority to issue written 
     views. No individual may vote or exercise any of the powers 
     of a member by proxy.
       (d) Public Access.--The Council shall ensure public access 
     to its proceedings (other than proceedings, or portions of 
     proceedings, relating to internal personnel and management 
     matters) and shall make available to the public, at 
     reasonable cost, transcripts of such proceedings.

     SEC. 217. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

       (a) Director.--The Chairperson of the Council, without 
     regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     relating to the appointment and compensation of officers or 
     employees of the United States, shall appoint a Director to 
     be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable 
     for level V of the Executive Schedule.
       (b) Appointment and Pay of Employees.--
       (1) In general.--(A) The Director may appoint not more than 
     4 additional employees to serve as staff to the Council 
     without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
     Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.
       (B) The employees appointed under subparagraph (A) may be 
     paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates, but shall not 
     be paid a rate that exceeds the maximum rate of basic pay 
     payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
       (2) Additional employees.--The Director may appoint 
     additional employees to serve as staff of the Council 
     consistent with title 5, United States Code.
       (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Council may procure 
     temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon the request of the 
     Council, the head of any department or agency of the Federal 
     Government may detail any of the personnel of such department 
     or agency to the Council to assist the Council in carrying 
     out its duties under this part.

     SEC. 218. OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

       (a) Opportunity-To-Learn Development Grant.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award a 
     grant or grants, on a competitive basis, to a consortium or 
     consortia of individuals and organizations to enable such 
     consortium or consortia to develop voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards, and a listing of model 
     programs for use, on a voluntary basis, by States in--
       (A) assessing the capacity and performance of individual 
     schools; and
       (B) developing appropriate actions to be taken in the event 
     that the schools fail to achieve such standards.
       (2) Composition of consortium.--To the extent possible, 
     each consortium described in paragraph (1) shall include the 
     participation of--
       (A) Governors (other than Governors serving on the Goals 
     Panel);
       (B) chief State school officers;
       (C) teachers, especially teachers involved in the 
     development of content standards, and related services 
     personnel;
       (D) principals;
       (E) superintendents;
       (F) State and local school board members;
       (G) curriculum and school reform experts;
       (H) parents;
       (I) State legislators;
       (J) representatives of businesses;
       (K) representatives of higher education;
       (L) representatives of regional accrediting associations;
       (M) representatives of advocacy groups; and
       (N) secondary school students.
       (b) Applications.--Each consortium that desires to receive 
     a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to 
     the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
     such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
       (c) Award Consideration.--In establishing priorities and 
     selection criteria for awarding a grant or grants under this 
     section, the Secretary shall give serious consideration to 
     the recommendations made by the Council pursuant to section 
     213(c)(5)(A).

              PART C--LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

     SEC. 221. PURPOSES.

       It is the purpose of this part to promote achievement of 
     the National Education Goals and--
       (1) to provide leadership at the Federal level, through the 
     Department of Education, by developing a national vision and 
     strategy--
       (A) to infuse technology and technology planning into all 
     educational programs and training functions carried out 
     within school systems at the State and local level;
       (B) to coordinate educational technology activities among 
     the related Federal and State departments or agencies, 
     industry leaders, and interested educational and parental 
     organizations;
       (C) to establish working guidelines to ensure maximum 
     interoperability nationwide and ease of access for the 
     emerging technologies so that no school system will be 
     excluded from the technological revolution; and
       (D) to ensure that Federal technology-related policies and 
     programs facilitate the use of technology in education;
       (2) to promote awareness of the potential of technology for 
     improving teaching and learning;
       (3) to support State and local efforts to increase the 
     effective use of technology for education;
       (4) to demonstrate ways in which technology can be used to 
     improve teaching and learning, and to help ensure that all 
     students have an equal opportunity to meet challenging State 
     education standards;
       (5) to ensure the availability and dissemination of 
     knowledge (drawn from research and experience) that can form 
     the basis for sound State and local decisions about 
     investment in, and effective uses of, educational technology;
       (6) to promote high-quality professional development 
     opportunities for teachers and administrators regarding the 
     integration of technology into instruction and 
     administration; and
       (7) to monitor advancements in technology to encourage the 
     development of effective educational uses of technology.

     SEC. 222. FEDERAL LEADERSHIP.

       (a) Activities Authorized.--
       (1) In general.--In order to provide Federal leadership 
     that promotes higher student achievement through the use of 
     technology in education and to achieve the purposes of this 
     part, the Secretary, in consultation with the National 
     Science Foundation, the Department of Commerce, and other 
     appropriate Federal departments or agencies, may carry out 
     activities designed to achieve the purposes of this part.
       (2) Transfer of funds.--For the purpose of carrying out 
     coordinated or joint activities to achieve the purposes of 
     this part, the Secretary may accept funds from, and transfer 
     funds to, other Federal departments or agencies.
       (b) National Long-Range Technology Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and publish 
     within 12 months of the date of enactment of this Act, and 
     update when the Secretary determines appropriate, a national 
     long-range plan to carry out the purposes of this part.
       (2) Plan requirements.--The Secretary shall--
       (A) develop the national long-range plan in consultation 
     with other Federal departments or agencies, State and local 
     education practitioners and policymakers, experts in 
     technology and the educational applications of technology, 
     and providers of technology services and products;
       (B) transmit such plan to the President and to the 
     appropriate committees of the Congress; and
       (C) publish such plan in a form that is readily accessible 
     to the public.
       (3) Contents of the plan.--The national long-range plan 
     shall describe the Secretary's activities to promote the 
     purposes of this part, including--
       (A) how the Secretary will encourage the effective use of 
     technology to provide all students the opportunity to achieve 
     challenging State content and student performance standards, 
     especially through programs administered by the Department of 
     Education;
       (B) joint activities with other Federal departments or 
     agencies, such as the National Endowment for the Humanities, 
     the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, 
     and the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human 
     Services, and Labor--
       (i) to promote the use of technology in education, and 
     training and lifelong learning, including plans for the 
     educational uses of a national information infrastructure; 
     and
       (ii) to ensure that the policies and programs of such 
     departments or agencies facilitate the use of technology for 
     educational purposes, to the extent feasible;
       (C) how the Secretary will work with educators, State and 
     local educational agencies, and appropriate representatives 
     of the private sector to facilitate the effective use of 
     technology in education;
       (D) how the Secretary will promote--
       (i) higher achievement of all students through the 
     integration of technology into the curriculum;
       (ii) increased access to the benefits of technology for 
     teaching and learning for schools with a high concentration 
     of children from low-income families;
       (iii) the use of technology to assist in the implementation 
     of State systemic reform strategies;
       (iv) the application of technological advances to use in 
     education; and
       (v) increased opportunities for the professional 
     development of teachers in the use of new technologies;
       (E) how the Secretary will determine, in consultation with 
     appropriate individuals, organizations, industries, and 
     agencies, the feasibility and desirability of establishing 
     guidelines to facilitate an easy exchange of data and 
     effective use of technology in education; and
       (F) the Secretary's long-range measurable goals and 
     objectives relating to the purposes of this part.
       (c) Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to 
     the States to enable such States to plan effectively for the 
     use of technology in all schools throughout the State in 
     accordance with the purpose and requirements of section 316.

     SEC. 223. OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) Amendment to the Department of Education Organization 
     Act.--Title II of the Department of Education Organization 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:


                   ``office of educational technology

       ``Sec. 216. There shall be in the Department of Education 
     an Office of Educational Technology, to be administered by 
     the Director of Educational Technology. Such Office shall be 
     established in accordance with section 405A of the General 
     Education Provisions Act.''.
       (b) Amendment to the General Education Provisions Act.--
     Part A of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1221c et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 405 the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 405A. OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     Office of Educational Technology (hereafter in this section 
     referred to as the `Office').
       ``(b) Functions of the Office.--The Director of the Office 
     of Educational Technology (hereafter in this section referred 
     to as the `Director'), through the Office, shall--
       ``(1) carry forward the purposes of part C of title II of 
     the Goals 2000: Educate America Act;
       ``(2) in consultation with other Federal departments or 
     agencies which the Director determines appropriate, provide 
     leadership to the Nation in the use of technology to promote 
     achievement of the National Education Goals and to increase 
     opportunities for all students to achieve challenging State 
     content and student performance standards;
       ``(3) review all programs and training functions 
     administered by the Department in order to promote the 
     infusion of technology and technology planning throughout all 
     such programs and functions; and
       ``(4) perform such additional functions as the Secretary 
     may require.
       ``(c) Personnel.--The Director is authorized to select, 
     appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be 
     necessary to carry out the functions of the Office, subject 
     to the provisions of title 5, United States Code (governing 
     appointments in the competitive service), and the provisions 
     of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
     (relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
     rates.''.
       (2) Compensation of the director.--Section 5315 of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``Director of the Office of Educational Technology.''.

     SEC. 224. USES OF FUNDS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall use funds appropriated 
     pursuant to the authority of section 231(d) for activities 
     designed to carry out the purpose of this part, including--
       (1) providing assistance to technical assistance providers 
     to enable such providers to improve substantially the 
     services such providers offer to educators regarding the 
     educational uses of technology, including professional 
     development;
       (2) consulting with representatives of industry, elementary 
     and secondary education, higher education, and appropriate 
     experts in technology and the educational applications of 
     technology, in carrying out the activities assisted under 
     this part;
       (3) research on, and the development of, guidelines to 
     facilitate maximum interoperability, efficiency and easy 
     exchange of data for effective use of technology in 
     education;
       (4) research on, and the development of, educational 
     applications of the most advanced and newly emerging 
     technologies;
       (5) the development, demonstration, and evaluation of 
     applications of existing technology in preschool education, 
     elementary and secondary education, training and lifelong 
     learning, and professional development of educational 
     personnel;
       (6) the development and evaluation of software and other 
     products, including multimedia television programming, that 
     incorporate advances in technology and help achieve the 
     National Education Goals and challenging State content and 
     student performance standards;
       (7) the development, demonstration, and evaluation of model 
     strategies for preparing teachers and other personnel to use 
     technology effectively to improve teaching and learning;
       (8) the development of model programs that demonstrate the 
     educational effectiveness of technology in urban and rural 
     areas and economically distressed communities;
       (9) research on, and the evaluation of, the effectiveness 
     and benefits of technology in education;
       (10) conferences on, and dissemination of information 
     regarding, the uses of technology in education;
       (11) the development of model strategies to promote gender 
     equity in the use of technology; and
       (12) such other activities as the Secretary determines will 
     meet the purposes of this part.
       (b) Special Rules.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     activities described in subsection (a) directly or by grant 
     or contract.
       (2) Grants and contracts.--Each grant or contract under 
     this part shall be awarded--
       (A) on a competitive basis; and
       (B) pursuant to a peer review process.

     SEC. 225. NON-FEDERAL SHARE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the 
     Secretary may require any recipient of a grant or contract 
     under this part to share in the cost of the activities 
     assisted under such grant or contract, which non-Federal 
     share shall be announced through a notice in the Federal 
     Register and may be in the form of cash or in-kind 
     contributions, fairly valued.
       (b) Increase.--The Secretary may increase the non-Federal 
     share that is required of a recipient of a grant or contract 
     under this part after the first year such recipient receives 
     funds under such grant or contract.
       (c) Maximum.--The non-Federal share required under this 
     section shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the 
     activities assisted pursuant to a grant or contract under 
     this part.

     SEC. 226. OFFICE OF TRAINING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

       (a) Transfer.--
       (1) In general.--The Office of Training Technology Transfer 
     as established under section 6103 of the Training Technology 
     Transfer Act of 1988 (20 U.S.C. 5093) is transferred to the 
     Office of Educational Technology.
       (2) Technical amendment.--The first sentence of section 
     6103(a) of the Training Technology Transfer Act of 1988 (20 
     U.S.C. 5093(a)) is amended by striking ``Office of 
     Educational Research and Improvement'' and inserting ``Office 
     of Educational Technology''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Training 
     Technology Transfer Act of 1988 (20 U.S.C. 5091 et seq.) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 6108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 1995, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of the fiscal years 1996 through 1999, to carry out this 
     chapter.''.

                PART D--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

     SEC. 231. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) National Education Goals Panel.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years, to carry out part A.
       (b) National Education Standards and Improvement Council.--
     There are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
     4 succeeding fiscal years, to carry out part B.
       (c) Opportunity-To-Learn Development Grants.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 
     1994, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1995, 
     to carry out section 218.
       (d) Leadership in Educational Technology.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the fiscal year 
     1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
     fiscal years 1995 through 1998, to carry out part C.
       TITLE III--STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT

     SEC. 301. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that--
       (1) all students can learn to high standards and must 
     realize their potential if the United States is to prosper;
       (2) the reforms in education from 1977 through 1992 have 
     achieved some good results, but such reform efforts often 
     have been limited to a few schools or to a single part of the 
     educational system;
       (3) leadership must come from teachers, related services 
     personnel, principals, and parents in individual schools, and 
     from policymakers at the local, State, tribal, and national 
     levels, in order for lasting improvements in student 
     performance to occur;
       (4) simultaneous top-down and bottom-up education reform is 
     necessary to spur creative and innovative approaches by 
     individual schools to help all students achieve 
     internationally competitive standards;
       (5) strategies must be developed by communities and States 
     to support the revitalization of all local public schools by 
     fundamentally changing the entire system of public education 
     through comprehensive, coherent, and coordinated improvement;
       (6) parents, teachers and other local educators, and 
     business, community, and tribal leaders, must be involved in 
     developing system-wide improvement strategies that reflect 
     the needs of their individual communities;
       (7) all students are entitled to teaching practices that 
     are in accordance with accepted standards of professional 
     practice and that hold the greatest promise of improving 
     student performance;
       (8) all students are entitled to participate in a broad and 
     challenging curriculum and to have access to resources 
     sufficient to address other education needs;
       (9) State and local education improvement efforts must 
     incorporate strategies for providing students and families 
     with coordinated access to appropriate social services, 
     health care, nutrition, early childhood education, and child 
     care to remove preventable barriers to learning and enhance 
     school readiness for all students;
       (10) States and local educational agencies, working 
     together, must immediately set about developing and 
     implementing such system-wide improvement strategies if our 
     Nation is to educate all children to meet their full 
     potential and achieve the National Education Goals described 
     in title I;
       (11) State and local systemic improvement strategies must 
     provide all students with effective mechanisms and 
     appropriate paths to the work force as well as to higher 
     education;
       (12) businesses should be encouraged--
       (A) to enter into partnerships with schools;
       (B) to provide information and guidance to schools based on 
     the needs of area businesses for properly educated graduates 
     in general and on the need for particular workplace skills 
     that the schools may provide;
       (C) to provide necessary education and training materials 
     and support; and
       (D) to continue the lifelong learning process throughout 
     the employment years of an individual;
       (13) the appropriate and innovative use of technology can 
     be very effective in helping to provide all students with the 
     opportunity to learn and meet high standards; and
       (14) Federal funds should be targeted to support State and 
     local initiatives, and to leverage State and local resources 
     for designing and implementing system-wide education 
     improvement plans.

     SEC. 302. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this title to--
       (1) improve the quality of education for all students by 
     supporting a long-term, broad-based effort to provide 
     coherent and coordinated improvements in the system of 
     education throughout our Nation at the State and local 
     levels;
       (2) provide new authorities and funding for our Nation's 
     school systems;
       (3) not replace or reduce funding for existing Federal 
     education programs; and
       (4) ensure that no State or local educational agency will 
     reduce its funding for education or for education reform on 
     account of receiving any funds under this title.

     SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $400,000,000 for 
     the fiscal year 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for 
     each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998, to carry out this 
     title.

     SEC. 304. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

       (a) Reservations of Funds.--From funds appropriated 
     pursuant to the authority of section 303 in each fiscal year, 
     the Secretary--
       (1) shall reserve a total of 1 percent to provide 
     assistance, in amounts determined by the Secretary--
       (A) to the outlying areas; and
       (B) to the Secretary of the Interior to benefit Indian 
     students in schools operated or funded by the Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs; and
       (2) may reserve a total of not more than 4 percent for--
       (A) national leadership activities under subsections (a) 
     and (b) of section 313; and
       (B) the costs of peer review of State improvement plans and 
     applications under this title.
       (b) State Allotments.--From the amount appropriated under 
     section 303 and not reserved under subsection (a) in each 
     fiscal year the Secretary shall make allotments to State 
     educational agencies as follows:
       (1) 50 percent of such amount shall be allocated in 
     accordance with the relative amounts each State would have 
     received under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 for the preceding fiscal year 
     if funds under such chapter in such preceding fiscal year 
     were not reserved for the outlying areas.
       (2) 50 percent of such amount shall be allocated in 
     accordance with the relative amounts each State would have 
     received under part A of chapter 2 of title I of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for the 
     preceding fiscal year if funds under such chapter in such 
     preceding fiscal year were not reserved for the outlying 
     areas.
       (c) Reallotments.--If the Secretary determines that any 
     amount of a State educational agency's allotment for any 
     fiscal year under subsection (b) will not be needed for such 
     fiscal year by the State, the Secretary shall reallot such 
     amount to other State educational agencies that need 
     additional funds, in such manner as the Secretary determines 
     is appropriate.
       (d) Maintenance of Effort.--Each recipient of funds under 
     this title, in utilizing the proceeds of an allotment 
     received under this title, shall maintain the expenditures of 
     such recipient for the activities assisted under this title 
     at a level equal to not less than the level of such 
     expenditures maintained by such recipient for the fiscal year 
     preceding the fiscal year for which such allotment is 
     received, except that provisions of this section shall not 
     apply in any fiscal year in which the amount appropriated to 
     carry out this title is less than the amount appropriated to 
     carry out this title in the preceding fiscal year.
       (e) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each recipient of funds under 
     this title, may use the proceeds of an allotment received 
     under this title only so as to supplement and, to the extent 
     practicable, increase the level of funds that would, in the 
     absence of such Federal funds, be made available from non-
     Federal sources for the activities assisted under this title.

     SEC. 305. STATE APPLICATIONS.

       (a) Application.--
       (1) In general.--Each State educational agency that desires 
     to receive an allotment under this title shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner 
     as the Secretary may determine.
       (2) Additional information.--In addition to the information 
     described in subsections (b) and (c), each such application 
     shall include--
       (A) an assurance that the State educational agency will 
     cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out the Secretary's 
     responsibilities under section 313, and will comply with 
     reasonable requests of the Secretary for data related to the 
     State's progress in developing and implementing its State 
     improvement plan under this title;
       (B) an assurance that State law provides adequate authority 
     to carry out each component of the State's improvement plan 
     developed, or to be developed, under section 306, or that 
     such authority will be sought; and
       (C) such other assurances and information as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (b) First Year.--A State educational agency's application 
     for the first year of assistance under this title shall--
       (1) describe the process by which the State educational 
     agency will develop a school improvement plan that meets the 
     requirements of section 306; and
       (2) describe how the State educational agency will use 
     funds received under this title for such year, including how 
     such agency will make subgrants to local educational agencies 
     in accordance with section 309(a), and how such agency will 
     use funds received under this title for education preservice 
     programs and professional development activities in 
     accordance with section 309(b).
       (c) Subsequent Years.--A State educational agency's 
     application for the second year of assistance under this 
     title shall--
       (1) cover the second through fifth years of the State's 
     participation;
       (2) include a copy of the State's improvement plan that 
     meets the requirements of section 306, or if the State 
     improvement plan is not complete, a statement of the steps 
     the State will take to complete the plan and a schedule for 
     doing so; and
       (3) include an explanation of how the State educational 
     agency will use funds received under this title, including 
     how such agency will make subgrants to local educational 
     agencies in accordance with section 309(a), and how such 
     agency will use such funds received under this title for 
     education preservice programs and professional development 
     activities in accordance with section 309(b).

     SEC. 306. STATE IMPROVEMENT PLANS.

       (a) Basic Scope of Plan.--Any State educational agency that 
     desires to receive an allotment under this title after its 
     first year of participation shall develop and implement a 
     State improvement plan for the fundamental restructuring and 
     improvement of elementary and secondary education in the 
     State.
       (b) Plan Development.--
       (1) In general.--A State improvement plan under this title 
     shall be developed by a broad-based State panel in 
     cooperation with the State educational agency and the 
     Governor. The panel shall include--
       (A) the Governor and the chief State school officer, or 
     their designees;
       (B) the chairperson of the State board of education and the 
     chairpersons of the appropriate authorizing committees of the 
     State legislature, or their designees;
       (C) school teachers, related services personnel, 
     principals, and administrators who have successfully improved 
     student performance; and
       (D) representatives of teachers' organizations, 
     organizations serving young children, parents, secondary 
     school students, business and labor leaders, community-based 
     organizations of demonstrated effectiveness, institutions of 
     higher education, local boards of education, State and local 
     officials, tribal agencies, as appropriate, and others.
       (2) Appointment.--The Governor and the chief State school 
     officer shall each appoint half the members of the panel and 
     shall jointly select the Chairperson of the panel.
       (3) Representation.--The membership of the panel shall be 
     geographically representative of the State and reflect the 
     diversity of the population of the State with regard to race, 
     ethnicity, gender and disability characteristics.
       (4) Consultation.--The panel shall consult the Governor, 
     the chief State school officer, the State board of education, 
     and relevant committees of the State legislature in 
     developing the State improvement plan.
       (5) Outreach.--The panel shall be responsible for 
     conducting a statewide, grassroots outreach process, 
     including conducting public hearings, to involve educators, 
     related services personnel, parents, local officials, tribal 
     government officials, as appropriate, individuals 
     representing private nonprofit elementary and secondary 
     schools, community and business leaders, citizens, children's 
     advocates, and others with a stake in the success of students 
     and their education system, and who are representative of the 
     diversity of the State and the State's student population, 
     including students of limited-English proficiency, American 
     Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students, and 
     students with disabilities, in the development of the State 
     improvement plan and in a continuing dialogue regarding the 
     need for and nature of challenging standards for students and 
     local and State responsibilities for helping all students 
     achieve such standards in order to assure that the 
     development and implementation of the State improvement plan 
     reflects local needs and experiences and does not result in a 
     significant increase in paperwork for teachers.
       (6) Procedure and approval.--The panel shall develop a 
     State improvement plan, provide opportunity for public 
     comment, and submit such plan to the State educational agency 
     for approval.
       (7) Submission.--The State educational agency shall submit 
     the original State improvement plan developed by the panel 
     and the State improvement plan modified by such agency, 
     together with an explanation of any changes made by such 
     agency to the plan developed by the panel, to the Secretary 
     for approval.
       (8) Matters not under the jurisdiction of the state 
     educational agency.--If any portion of a State improvement 
     plan addresses matters that, under State or other applicable 
     law, are not under the authority of the State educational 
     agency, the State educational agency shall obtain the 
     approval of, or changes to, such portion, with an explanation 
     thereof, from the Governor or other official responsible for 
     that portion before submitting such plan to the Secretary.
       (9) Monitoring; revisions; reporting.--After approval of 
     the State improvement plan by the Secretary, the panel shall 
     be informed of progress on such plan by the State educational 
     agency, and such agency, in close consultation with teachers, 
     principals, administrators, advocates and parents in local 
     educational agencies and schools receiving funds under this 
     title, shall monitor the implementation and operation of such 
     plan. The panel shall review such plan, and based on the 
     progress described in the preceding sentence, determine if 
     revisions to such plan are appropriate and necessary. The 
     panel shall periodically report such determination to the 
     public.
       (c) Teaching, Learning, Standards, and Assessments.--Each 
     State improvement plan shall establish strategies for meeting 
     the National Education Goals described in title I by 
     improving teaching and learning, and such strategies shall 
     involve broad-based and ongoing classroom teacher input, such 
     as--
       (1) a process for developing or adopting challenging State 
     content and student performance standards for all students;
       (2) a process for providing assistance and support to local 
     educational agencies and schools to strengthen the capacity 
     and responsibility of such agencies and schools to provide 
     all of their students the opportunity to meet challenging 
     State content and student performance standards;
       (3) a process for developing or recommending instructional 
     materials and technology to support and assist local 
     educational agencies and schools to provide all of their 
     students the opportunity to meet the challenging State 
     content and student performance standards;
       (4) a process for developing and implementing a valid, 
     fair, nondiscriminatory, and reliable assessment or system of 
     assessments--
       (A) which assessment or system shall--
       (i) be aligned with such State's content standards;
       (ii) involve multiple measures of student performance;
       (iii) provide for--

       (I) the participation of all students with diverse learning 
     needs in such assessment or system; and
       (II) the adaptations and accommodations necessary to permit 
     such participation;

       (iv) be consistent with relevant, nationally recognized 
     professional and technical standards for such assessment or 
     system;
       (v) be capable of providing coherent information about 
     student attainments relative to the State content standards; 
     and
       (vi) support effective curriculum and instruction; and
       (B) which process shall provide for monitoring the 
     implementation of such assessment, system or set and the 
     impact of such assessment, system or set on improved 
     instruction for all students; and
       (5) a process for improving the State's system of teacher 
     and school administrator preparation and licensure, and of 
     continuing professional development programs, including the 
     use of technology at both the State and local levels, so that 
     all teachers, related services personnel, and administrators 
     develop the subject matter and pedagogical expertise needed 
     to prepare all students to meet the challenging standards 
     described in paragraph (1).
       (d) Opportunity-To-Learn Strategies.--Each State 
     improvement plan shall establish strategies for providing all 
     students with an opportunity to learn, such as--
       (1) adopting or establishing comprehensive State 
     opportunity-to-learn standards;
       (2) establishing a timetable for demonstrating progress 
     toward meeting comprehensive State opportunity-to-learn 
     standards in every school in the State; and
       (3) periodically reporting to the public on the extent of 
     the State's improvement in achieving such standards.
       (e) Governance and Management.--Each State plan shall 
     establish strategies for improved governance and management 
     of the education system of the State.
       (f) Parental and Community Support and Involvement.--Each 
     State improvement plan shall describe comprehensive 
     strategies to involve communities, including community 
     representatives such as parents, businesses, institutions of 
     higher education, libraries, cultural institutions, 
     employment and training agencies, health and human service 
     agencies, and other public and private nonprofit agencies 
     that provide nonsectarian social services, health care, child 
     care, early childhood education, and nutrition to students, 
     in helping all students meet the challenging State standards.
       (g) Making the Improvements System-Wide.--In order to help 
     provide all students throughout the State the opportunity to 
     meet challenging State content and student performance 
     standards, each State improvement plan shall describe the 
     various strategies for ensuring that all local educational 
     agencies and schools within the State are involved in 
     developing and implementing needed improvements within a 
     specified period of time.
       (h) Promoting Bottom-Up Reform.--Each State improvement 
     plan shall include strategies for ensuring that 
     comprehensive, systemic reform is promoted from the bottom up 
     in communities, local educational agencies, and schools, and 
     is guided by coordination and facilitation from State 
     leaders.
       (i) Benchmarks and Timelines.--Each State improvement plan 
     shall include specific benchmarks of improved student 
     performance and of progress in implementing such plan, and 
     timelines against which the progress of the State in carrying 
     out such plan, including the elements described in 
     subsections (c) through (h), can be measured.
       (j) Peer Review and Secretarial Approval.--
       (1) In general.--(A) The Secretary shall review, within a 
     reasonable period of time, each State improvement plan 
     prepared under this section, and each application submitted 
     under section 305, through a peer review process involving 
     the assistance and advice of State and local education 
     policymakers, educators, classroom teachers, related services 
     personnel, experts on educational innovation and improvement, 
     parents, advocates, and other appropriate individuals. Such 
     peer review process shall be representative of the diversity 
     of the United States with regard to geography, race, 
     ethnicity, gender and disability characteristics. Such peer 
     review process shall include at least 1 site visit to each 
     State.
       (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), in 
     the first year that a State educational agency submits an 
     application for assistance under this title the Secretary 
     shall not be required to--
       (i) review such application through a peer review process; 
     and
       (ii) conduct a site visit.
       (2) Approval of plan.--The Secretary shall approve a State 
     improvement plan if--
       (A) such plan is submitted to the Secretary not later than 
     2 years after the date the State educational agency receives 
     its first allotment under section 304(b); and
       (B) the Secretary determines, after considering the peer 
     reviewers' comments, that such plan--
       (i) reflects a widespread commitment within the State; and
       (ii) holds reasonable promise of helping all students.
       (3) Disapproval.--The Secretary shall not disapprove a 
     State's plan, or any State application submitted under 
     section 305, before offering the State--
       (A) an opportunity to revise such plan or application; and
       (B) a hearing.
       (k) Amendments to Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Each State educational agency shall 
     periodically review its State improvement plan and revise 
     such plan, as appropriate, in accordance with the process 
     described in subsection (b).
       (2) Review.--The Secretary shall review any major amendment 
     to a State improvement plan and shall not disapprove any such 
     amendment before offering a State educational agency--
       (A) an opportunity to revise such amendment; and
       (B) a hearing.
       (l) Preexisting State Plans and Panels.--
       (1) In general.--If a State has developed a comprehensive 
     and systemic State improvement plan to help all students meet 
     challenging State content and student performance standards, 
     or any component of such plan, that meets the intent and 
     purposes of section 302, the Secretary may approve such plan 
     or component notwithstanding that such plan was not developed 
     in accordance with subsection (b), if--
       (A) the Secretary determines that such approval would 
     further the purposes of State systemic education improvement; 
     and
       (B) such plan ensures broad-based input from various 
     education, political, community, and other appropriate 
     representatives.
       (2) Special rule.--(A) If, before the date of enactment of 
     this Act, a State has made substantial progress in developing 
     a plan that meets the intent and purposes of section 302, but 
     was developed by a panel that does not meet the requirements 
     of paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b), the 
     Secretary may, at the request of the Governor and the State 
     educational agency, treat such panel as meeting such 
     requirements for all purposes of this title if the Secretary 
     determines that there has been substantial public and 
     educator involvement in the development of such plan.
       (B) If a State has not developed a State improvement plan 
     but has an existing panel which such State would like to use 
     for the purpose of developing such plan, then the Secretary 
     may, at the request of the Governor and the State educational 
     agency, treat such panel as meeting the requirements of 
     paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b) for all purposes 
     of this title if--
       (i) the Secretary determines that such existing panel is 
     serving a similar such purpose; and
       (ii) the composition of such existing panel would ensure 
     broad-based input from various education, political, 
     community, and other appropriate representatives.

     SEC. 307. SECRETARY'S REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS; PAYMENTS.

       (a) First Year.--The Secretary shall approve the State 
     educational agency's initial year application under section 
     305(b) if the Secretary determines that--
       (1) such application meets the requirements of this title; 
     and
       (2) there is a substantial likelihood that the State will 
     be able to develop and implement an education improvement 
     plan that complies with section 306.
       (b) Second Through Fifth Years.--The Secretary shall 
     approve the State educational agency's renewal application 
     under section 305(c)(1) in the second through fifth years of 
     participation only if--
       (1)(A) the Secretary has approved the State improvement 
     plan under section 306(j); or
       (B) the Secretary determines that the State has made 
     substantial progress in developing its State improvement plan 
     and will implement such plan not later than the end of the 
     second year of participation; and
       (2) the application meets the other requirements of this 
     title.
       (c) Payments.--For any fiscal year for which a State has an 
     approved application under this title, the Secretary shall 
     provide an allotment to the State educational agency in the 
     amount determined under section 304(b).

     SEC. 308. STATE USE OF FUNDS.

       (a) First Year.--In the first year for which a State 
     educational agency receives an allotment under this title, 
     such agency--
       (1) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
     section 303 for such year is equal to or greater than 
     $200,000,000, shall use at least 75 percent of such allotted 
     funds to award subgrants--
       (A) to local educational agencies for the development or 
     implementation of local improvement plans in accordance with 
     section 309(a); and
       (B) to improve educator and related services personnel 
     preservice programs and for professional development 
     activities consistent with the State improvement plan and in 
     accordance with section 309(b);
       (2) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
     section 303 for such year is equal to or greater than 
     $100,000,000, but less than $200,000,000, shall use at least 
     50 percent of such allotted funds to award subgrants 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1);
       (3) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
     section 303 for such year is less than $100,000,000, may use 
     such allotted funds to award subgrants described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
       (4) shall use any such allotted funds not used in 
     accordance with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) to develop, 
     revise, expand, or implement a State improvement plan 
     described in section 306.
       (b) Succeeding Years.--Each State educational agency that 
     receives an allotment under this title for any year after the 
     first year of participation shall--
       (1) use at least 85 percent of such allotment funds in each 
     such year to make subgrants--
       (A) for the implementation of the State improvement plan 
     and of local improvement plans in accordance with section 
     309(a); and
       (B) to improve educator and related services personnel 
     preservice programs and for professional development 
     activities that are consistent with the State improvement 
     plan in accordance with section 309(b); and
       (2) shall use the remainder of such allotted funds for 
     State activities designed to implement the State improvement 
     plan, such as--
       (A) supporting the development or adoption of challenging 
     State content and student performance standards, 
     comprehensive State opportunity-to-learn standards, and 
     assessment tools linked to the standards, including 
     activities assisted--
       (i) through consortia of States; or
       (ii) with the assistance of the National Education 
     Standards and Improvement Council established under part B of 
     title II;
       (B) supporting the implementation of high-performance 
     management and organizational strategies, such as site-based 
     management, shared decisionmaking, or quality management 
     principles, to promote effective implementation of such plan;
       (C) supporting the development and implementation, at the 
     local educational agency and school building level, of 
     improved human resource development systems for recruiting, 
     selecting, mentoring, supporting, evaluating and rewarding 
     educators;
       (D) providing special attention to the needs of minority, 
     disabled, and female students, including instructional 
     programs and activities that encourage such students in 
     elementary and secondary schools to aspire to enter and 
     complete postsecondary education or training;
       (E) supporting the development, at the State or local 
     level, of performance-based accountability and incentive 
     systems for schools;
       (F) outreach to and training for parents, tribal officials, 
     organizations serving young children, classroom teachers, 
     related services personnel, and other educators, and the 
     public, related to education improvement;
       (G) providing technical assistance and other services to 
     increase the capacity of local educational agencies and 
     schools to develop and implement systemic local improvement 
     plans, implement new assessments or systems of assessments 
     described in the State improvement plan developed in 
     accordance with section 306, and develop curricula consistent 
     with the challenging State content and student performance 
     standards;
       (H) promoting mechanisms for increasing public school 
     choice, including information and referral programs which 
     provide parents information on available choices and other 
     initiatives to promote the establishment of innovative new 
     public schools, including magnet schools and charter schools; 
     and
       (I) collecting and analyzing data.
       (c) Limit on Administrative Costs.--A State educational 
     agency that receives an allotment under this title in any 
     fiscal year shall use not more than 4 percent of such 
     allotment in such year, or $100,000, whichever is greater, 
     for administrative expenses, which administrative expenses 
     shall not include the expenses related to the activities of 
     the panel established under section 306(b)(1).
       (d) Special Rule.--Any new public school established under 
     this title--
       (1) shall be nonsectarian;
       (2) shall not be affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian 
     school or religious institution; and
       (3) shall operate under the authority of a State 
     educational agency or local educational agency.

     SEC. 309. SUBGRANTS FOR LOCAL REFORM AND PROFESSIONAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency, through 
     a competitive process, shall make subgrants to local 
     educational agencies to carry out the authorized activities 
     described in paragraph (4).
       (B) Each subgrant described in subparagraph (A) shall be 
     for a project of sufficient duration and of sufficient size, 
     scope, and quality to carry out the purpose of this title 
     effectively.
       (2) Application required.--Each local educational agency 
     desiring to receive a subgrant under this subsection shall 
     submit an application to the State educational agency that--
       (A) is developed by a broad-based panel, appointed by the 
     local educational agency, that is representative of the 
     diversity of the students and community to be served with 
     regard to race, language, ethnicity, gender, disability and 
     socioeconomic characteristics, and includes teachers, related 
     services personnel, secondary school students, parents, 
     school administrators, business representatives, early 
     childhood educators, representatives of community-based 
     organizations, and others, as appropriate, and is approved by 
     the local educational agency, including any modifications the 
     local educational agency deems appropriate;
       (B) includes, in the application submitted for the second 
     year of participation, a comprehensive local improvement plan 
     for school district-wide education improvement, directed at 
     enabling all students to meet high academic standards, 
     including specific goals and benchmarks, and includes a 
     strategy for--
       (i) ensuring that all students have a fair opportunity to 
     learn;
       (ii) improving teaching and learning;
       (iii) improving governance and management;
       (iv) generating and maintaining parental and community 
     involvement; and
       (v) expanding improvements throughout the local educational 
     agency;
       (C) describes how the local educational agency will 
     encourage and assist schools to develop and implement 
     comprehensive school improvement plans that focus on helping 
     all students meet high academic standards and that address 
     each element of the local educational agency's local 
     improvement plan described in subparagraph (B);
       (D) describes how the local educational agency will 
     implement specific programs aimed at ensuring improvements in 
     school readiness and the ability of students to learn 
     effectively at all grade levels by identifying the most 
     pressing needs facing students and their families with regard 
     to social services, health care, nutrition, and child care, 
     and entering into partnerships with public and private 
     nonprofit agencies to increase the access of students and 
     families to coordinated nonsectarian services in a school 
     setting or at a nearby site;
       (E) describes how the subgrant funds will be used by the 
     local educational agency, and the procedures to be used to 
     make funds available to schools in accordance with paragraph 
     (4)(A);
       (F) identifies, with an explanation, any State or Federal 
     requirements that the local educational agency believes 
     impede educational improvement and that such agency requests 
     be waived in accordance with section 311, which requests 
     shall promptly be transmitted to the Secretary by the State 
     educational agency; and
       (G) contains such other information as the State 
     educational agency may reasonably require.
       (3) Monitoring.--The panel described in paragraph (2)(A), 
     after approval of the local educational agency's application 
     by the State educational agency, shall be informed of 
     progress on such plan by the local educational agency, and 
     the local educational agency shall monitor the implementation 
     and effectiveness of the local improvement plan in close 
     consultation with teachers, related services personnel, 
     principals, administrators, and parents from schools 
     receiving funds under this title, as well as assure that 
     implementation of the local improvement plan does not result 
     in a significant increase in paperwork for teachers. The 
     panel shall review such plan and based on the progress 
     described in the preceding sentence, determine if revisions 
     to the local improvement plan should be recommended to the 
     local educational agency. The panel shall periodically report 
     such determination to the public.
       (4) Authorized activities.--A local educational agency that 
     receives a subgrant under this subsection--
       (A) in the first year such agency receives the subgrant 
     shall use--
       (i) not more than 25 percent of the subgrant funds to 
     develop a local improvement plan or for any local educational 
     agency activities approved by the State educational agency 
     that are reasonably related to carrying out the State or 
     local improvement plans, including the establishment of 
     innovative new public schools; and
       (ii) not less than 75 percent of the subgrant funds to 
     support individual school improvement initiatives related to 
     providing all students in the school the opportunity to meet 
     high academic standards; and
       (B) in subsequent years, shall use the subgrant funds for 
     any activities approved by the State educational agency that 
     are reasonably related to carrying out the State or local 
     improvement plans (including the establishment of innovative 
     new public schools), except that at least 85 percent of such 
     funds shall be made available to individual schools to 
     develop and implement comprehensive school improvement plans 
     designed to help all students meet high academic standards.
       (b) Subgrants for Preservice Teacher Education and 
     Professional Development Activities.--
       (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency, through 
     a competitive, peer review process, shall make subgrants to a 
     local educational agency, or a consortium consisting of local 
     educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or 
     nonprofit education organizations, or any combination 
     thereof, in order to--
       (i) improve preservice teacher and related services 
     personnel education programs in accordance with the State 
     improvement plan; and
       (ii) support continuing, sustained professional development 
     activities for educators in accordance with the State 
     improvement plan.
       (B) Each State educational agency awarding subgrants under 
     subparagraph (A) shall give priority to awarding such 
     subgrants to--
       (i) a local educational agency or consortium serving a 
     greater number or percentage of disadvantaged students than 
     the statewide average of such number or percentage; or
       (ii) a consortium that has a demonstrated record of working 
     with school districts, such as a consortium that--
       (I) prepares and screens teacher interns in professional 
     development school sites;
       (II) focuses on upgrading teachers' knowledge of content 
     areas; or
       (III) targets preparation and continued professional 
     development of teachers of students with limited-English 
     proficiency and students with disabilities.
       (C) In order to be eligible to receive a subgrant described 
     in subparagraph (A), a consortium shall include at least 1 
     local educational agency.
       (2) Application.--A local educational agency or consortium 
     that desires to receive a subgrant under this subsection 
     shall submit an application to the State educational agency 
     that--
       (A) describes how the local educational agency or 
     consortium will use the subgrant to improve teacher 
     preservice and school administrator education programs or to 
     implement educator and related services personnel 
     professional development activities in accordance with the 
     State improvement plan;
       (B) identifies the criteria to be used by the local 
     educational agency or consortium to judge improvements in 
     preservice education or the effects of professional 
     development activities in accordance with the State 
     improvement plan; and
       (C) contains any other information that the State 
     educational agency determines is appropriate.
       (3) Authorized activities.--A recipient of a subgrant under 
     this subsection shall use the subgrant funds for activities 
     supporting--
       (A) the improvement of preservice teacher education and 
     school administrator programs so that such programs equip 
     educators with the subject matter and pedagogical expertise 
     necessary for preparing all students to meet challenging 
     standards; or
       (B) the development and implementation of new and improved 
     forms of continuing and sustained professional development 
     opportunities for teachers, related services personnel, 
     principals, and other educators at the school or school 
     district level that equip such individuals with such 
     expertise, and with other knowledge and skills necessary for 
     leading and participating in continuous education 
     improvement.
       (c) Special Award Rules.--
       (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency shall 
     award at least 65 percent of subgrant funds under subsection 
     (a) in each fiscal year to local educational agencies that 
     have a greater percentage or number of disadvantaged children 
     than the statewide average percentage or number for all local 
     educational agencies in the State.
       (B) At least 50 percent of the subgrant funds made 
     available by a local educational agency to individual schools 
     under subsection (a) in any fiscal year shall be made 
     available to schools with a special need for assistance, as 
     indicated by a high number or percentage of students from 
     low-income families, low student achievement, or other 
     similar criteria developed by the local educational agency.
       (2) Waiver.--The State educational agency may waive the 
     requirement of paragraph (1)(A) if such agency does not 
     receive a sufficient number of applications from local 
     educational agencies in the State to enable the State 
     educational agency to comply with such requirement.

     SEC. 310. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND TRAINING.

       Proportionate to the number of children in a State or in a 
     local educational agency who are enrolled in private 
     elementary or secondary schools--
       (1) a State educational agency or local educational agency 
     which uses funds under this title to develop goals, State 
     content or student performance standards, curricular 
     materials, and assessments or systems of assessments shall, 
     upon request, make information related to such goals, 
     standards, materials, and assessments or systems available to 
     private schools; and
       (2) a State educational agency or local educational agency 
     which uses funds under this title for teacher and 
     administrator training shall provide in the State improvement 
     plan described in section 306 for the training of teachers 
     and administrators in private schools located in the 
     geographical area served by such agency.

     SEC. 311. WAIVERS OF STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Waiver Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the 
     Secretary may waive any statutory or regulatory requirement 
     applicable to any program or Act described in subsection (b) 
     for a State educational agency, local educational agency, or 
     school, upon application of a State educational agency 
     requesting such a waiver if--
       (A) and only to the extent that, the Secretary determines 
     that such requirement impedes the ability of the State, or of 
     a local educational agency or school in the State, to carry 
     out the State or local improvement plan;
       (B) the State educational agency has waived, or agrees to 
     waive, similar requirements of State law;
       (C) in the case of a statewide waiver, the State 
     educational agency--
       (i) provides all local educational agencies in the State 
     with notice and an opportunity to comment on the State 
     educational agency's proposal to seek a waiver; and
       (ii) submits the local educational agencies' comments to 
     the Secretary; and
       (D) in the case of a local educational agency waiver, the 
     local educational agency provides parents, community groups, 
     and advocacy or civil rights groups with the opportunity to 
     comment on the proposed waiver.
       (2) Timeliness.--The Secretary shall act promptly on any 
     request for a waiver under this section.
       (3) Duration.--
       (A) In general.--Each waiver under this section may be for 
     a period not to exceed 5 years.
       (B) Extension.--The Secretary may extend the period 
     described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines 
     that the waiver has been effective in enabling the State or 
     affected local educational agencies to carry out their reform 
     plans.
       (b) Included Programs.--The statutory or regulatory 
     requirements subject to the waiver authority of this section 
     are any such requirements under the following programs or 
     Acts:
       (1) Chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965, including Even Start.
       (2) Part A of chapter 2 of title I of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965.
       (3) The Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science 
     Education Act.
       (4) The Emergency Immigrant Education Act of 1984.
       (5) The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986.
       (6) The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology 
     Education Act.
       (c) Waivers Not Authorized.--The Secretary may not waive 
     any statutory or regulatory requirement of the programs or 
     Acts described in subsection (b)--
       (1) relating to--
       (A) maintenance of effort;
       (B) comparability of services;
       (C) the equitable participation of students and 
     professional staff in private schools;
       (D) parental participation and involvement; and
       (E) the distribution of funds to States or to local 
     educational agencies; and
       (2) unless the underlying purposes of the statutory 
     requirements of each program or Act for which a waiver is 
     granted continue to be met to the satisfaction of the 
     Secretary.
       (d) Termination of Waivers.--The Secretary shall 
     periodically review the performance of any State, local 
     educational agency, or school for which the Secretary has 
     granted a waiver and shall terminate the waiver if the 
     Secretary determines that the performance of the State, the 
     local educational agency, or the school in the area affected 
     by the waiver has been inadequate to justify a continuation 
     of the waiver.

     SEC. 312. PROGRESS REPORTS.

       (a) State Reports to the Secretary.--Each State educational 
     agency that receives an allotment under this title shall 
     annually report to the Secretary--
       (1) on the State's progress in meeting the State's goals 
     and plans;
       (2) on the State's proposed activities for the succeeding 
     year; and
       (3) in summary form, on the progress of local educational 
     agencies in meeting local goals and plans.
       (b) Secretary's Reports to Congress.--By April 30, 1996, 
     and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources of the Senate describing the activities and 
     outcomes of--
       (1) grants or contracts under paragraph (2) of section 
     313(b), including--
       (A) a description of the purpose, uses, and technical merit 
     of assessments evaluated with funds awarded under such 
     paragraph; and
       (B) an analysis of the impact of such assessments on the 
     performance of students, particularly students of different 
     racial, gender, ethnic, or language groups and individuals 
     with disabilities; and
       (2) allotments under this title, including a description of 
     the effect of waivers granted under section 311.

     SEC. 313. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

       (a) Technical Assistance and Integration of Standards.--
     From funds reserved in each fiscal year under section 
     304(a)(2)(A), the Secretary may, directly or through grants 
     or contracts--
       (1) provide technical assistance to States, local 
     educational agencies, and tribal agencies developing or 
     implementing school improvement plans, in a manner that 
     ensures that such assistance is broadly available; or
       (2) support model projects to integrate multiple content 
     standards, if--
       (A) such standards are certified by the National Education 
     Standards and Improvement Council and approved by the 
     National Goals Panel for different subject areas, in order to 
     provide balanced and coherent instructional programs for all 
     students; and
       (B) such projects are appropriate for a wide range of 
     diverse circumstances, localities (including both urban and 
     rural communities), and populations.
       (b) Innovative Programs; Assessment; Evaluation.--From not 
     more than 50 percent of the funds reserved in each fiscal 
     year under section 304(a)(2)(A), the Secretary, directly or 
     through grants or contracts, shall--
       (1) provide urban and rural local educational agencies, 
     schools, or consortia thereof, with assistance for innovative 
     or experimental programs in systemic education reform that 
     are not being undertaken through grants provided under 
     section 309(a), giving special consideration or priority to 
     local educational agencies, schools, or consortia thereof 
     that serve large numbers or concentrations of economically 
     disadvantaged students, including students of limited-English 
     proficiency; or
       (2) provide a State or local educational agency, nonprofit 
     organization or consortium thereof with assistance to help 
     defray the cost of developing, field testing and evaluating 
     an assessment or system of assessments with a priority on 
     grants or contracts for limited-English proficiency students 
     or students with disabilities, if--
       (A) such assessment or system--
       (i) is to be used for some or all of the purposes described 
     in section 213(e)(1)(B); and
       (ii) is aligned to State content standards certified by the 
     National Education Standards and Improvement Council; and
       (B) such agency, organization or consortium--
       (i) examines the validity, reliability, and fairness of 
     such assessment or system, for the particular purposes for 
     which such assessment or system was developed; and
       (ii) devotes special attention to how such assessment or 
     system treats all students, especially with regard to the 
     race, gender, ethnicity, disability and language proficiency 
     of such students.
       (c) Data and Dissemination.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) gather data on, conduct research on, and evaluate 
     systemic education improvement, including the programs 
     authorized by this title; and
       (2) disseminate research findings and other information on 
     outstanding examples of systemic education improvement in 
     States and local communities through existing dissemination 
     systems within the Department of Education, including through 
     publications, electronic and telecommunications mediums, 
     conferences, and other means.

     SEC. 314. ASSISTANCE TO THE OUTLYING AREAS AND TO THE 
                   SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

       (a) Outlying Areas.--
       (1) In general.--Funds reserved for the outlying areas in 
     each fiscal year under section 304(a)(1)(A) shall be made 
     available to, and expended by, such areas, under such 
     conditions and in such manner as the Secretary determines 
     will best meet the purposes of this title.
       (2) Inapplicability of public law 95-134.--The provisions 
     of Public Law 95-134, permitting the consolidation of grants 
     to the Insular Areas, shall not apply to funds received by 
     such areas under this title.
       (b) Secretary of the Interior.--The funds reserved by the 
     Secretary for the Secretary of the Interior under section 
     304(a)(1)(B) shall be made available to the Secretary of the 
     Interior pursuant to an agreement between the Secretary and 
     the Secretary of the Interior containing such terms and 
     assurances, consistent with this title, as the Secretary 
     determines will best achieve the purpose of this title.
       (c) Secretary of Defense.--The Secretary shall consult with 
     the Secretary of Defense to ensure that, to the extent 
     practicable, the purposes of this title are applied to the 
     Department of Defense schools.

     SEC. 315. CLARIFICATION REGARDING STATE STANDARDS AND 
                   ASSESSMENTS.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, 
     standards, assessments, and systems of assessments described 
     in a State improvement plan submitted in accordance with 
     section 306 shall not be required to be certified by the 
     Council.

     SEC. 316. STATE PLANNING FOR IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
                   THROUGH INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY INTO THE 
                   CURRICULUM.

       (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to assist 
     States to plan effectively to improve student learning 
     through the use of technology in all schools throughout the 
     State.
       (b) Program Authorized.--
       (1) Authority.--The Secretary shall award grants in 
     accordance with allocations under paragraph (2) to each State 
     educational agency that, as part of its application under 
     section 305, requests a grant to develop, and submits as part 
     of the State improvement plan described in section 306, a 
     systemic statewide plan to increase the use of state-of-the-
     art technologies that enhance elementary and secondary 
     student learning and staff development in support of the 
     National Education Goals and challenging standards.
       (2) Formula.--From the amount appropriated pursuant to the 
     authority of subsection (f) in each fiscal year, each State 
     educational agency with an application approved under section 
     305 shall receive a grant under paragraph (1) in such year in 
     an amount determined on the same basis as allotments are made 
     to State educational agencies under subsections (b) and (c) 
     of section 304 for such year, except that each such State 
     shall receive at least 1\1/2\ percent of the amount 
     appropriated pursuant to such authority or $75,000, whichever 
     is greater.
       (3) Duration.--A State educational agency may receive 
     assistance under this section for not more than 2 fiscal 
     years.
       (c) Plan Objectives.--Each State educational agency shall 
     use funds received under this section to develop and, if the 
     Secretary has approved the systemic statewide plan, to 
     implement such plan. Such plan shall have as its objectives--
       (1) the promotion of higher student achievement through the 
     use of technology in education;
       (2) the participation of all schools and school districts 
     in the State, especially those schools and districts with a 
     high percentage of disadvantaged students;
       (3) the development and implementation of a cost effective 
     high-speed, statewide, interoperable, wide area communication 
     educational technology infrastructure for elementary and 
     secondary schools within the State; and
       (4) the promotion of shared usage of equipment, facilities, 
     and other technology resources by adult learners during 
     after-school hours.
       (d) Plan Requirements.--At a minimum, each systemic 
     statewide plan shall--
       (1) be developed by a task force that--
       (A) includes among its members experts in the educational 
     use of technology and representatives of the State panel 
     described in section 306(b); and
       (B) ensures that such plan is integrated into the State 
     improvement plan described in section 306;
       (2) be developed in collaboration with the Governor, 
     representatives of the State legislature, the State board of 
     education, institutions of higher education, appropriate 
     State agencies, local educational agencies, public and 
     private telecommunication entities, parents, students, adult 
     literacy providers, and leaders in the field of technology, 
     through a process of statewide grassroots outreach to local 
     educational agencies and schools in the State;
       (3) identify and describe the requirements necessary for 
     introducing state-of-the-art technologies into the classroom 
     in order to enhance educational curricula, including the 
     installation and ongoing maintenance of basic connections, 
     hardware and the necessary support materials;
       (4) describe how the application of advanced technologies 
     in the schools will enhance student learning, provide greater 
     access to individualized instruction, promote the strategies 
     described in section 306(d), and help make progress toward 
     the achievement of the National Education Goals;
       (5) describe how the ongoing training of educational 
     personnel will be provided;
       (6) provide for the dissemination on a statewide basis of 
     exemplary programs and practices relating to the use of 
     technology in education;
       (7) establish a funding estimate (including a statement of 
     likely funding sources) and a schedule for the development 
     and implementation of such plan;
       (8) describe how the State educational agency will assess 
     the impact of implementing such plan on student achievement 
     and aggregate achievement for schools;
       (9) describe how the State educational agency and local 
     educational agencies in the State will coordinate and 
     cooperate with business and industry, and with public and 
     private telecommunications entities;
       (10) describe how the State educational agency will promote 
     the purchase of equipment by local educational agencies that, 
     when placed in schools, will meet the highest possible level 
     of interoperability and open system design;
       (11) describe how the State educational agency will 
     consider using existing telecommunications infrastructure and 
     technology resources; and
       (12) describe the process through which such plan will be 
     reviewed and updated periodically.
       (e) Reports.--Each State educational agency receiving a 
     grant under this section shall submit a report to the 
     Secretary within 1 year of the date such agency submits to 
     the Secretary its systemic statewide plan under this section. 
     Such report shall--
       (1) describe the State's progress toward implementation of 
     the provisions of such plan;
       (2) describe any revisions to the State's long-range plans 
     for technology;
       (3) describe the extent to which resources provided 
     pursuant to such plan are distributed among schools to 
     promote the strategies described in section 306(d); and
       (4) include any other information the Secretary deems 
     appropriate.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1995, to carry out 
     this section.
                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 401. PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

       Except as provided in section 310, nothing in this Act 
     shall be construed to authorize the use of funds under title 
     III of this Act to directly or indirectly benefit any school 
     other than a public school.

     SEC. 402. CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed--
       (1) to supersede the provisions of section 103 of the 
     Department of Education Organization Act; and
       (2) to require the teaching of values or the establishment 
     of school-based clinics as a condition of receiving funds 
     under this Act.
                TITLE V--NATIONAL SKILL STANDARDS BOARD

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``National Skill Standards 
     Act of 1993''.

     SEC. 502. PURPOSE.

       It is the purpose of this title to establish a National 
     Board to serve as a catalyst in stimulating the development 
     and adoption of a voluntary national system of skill 
     standards and of assessment and certification--
       (1) that will serve as a cornerstone of the national 
     strategy to enhance work force skills;
       (2) that will result in increased productivity, economic 
     growth, and American economic competitiveness; and
       (3) that can be used, consistent with civil rights laws--
       (A) by the Nation, to ensure the development of a high 
     skills, high quality, high performance work force, including 
     the most skilled front-line work force in the world;
       (B) by industries, as a vehicle for informing training 
     providers and prospective employees of skills necessary for 
     employment;
       (C) by employers, to assist in evaluating the skill levels 
     of prospective employees and to assist in the training of 
     current employees;
       (D) by labor organizations, to enhance the employment 
     security of workers by providing portable credentials and 
     skills;
       (E) by workers, to--
       (i) obtain certifications of their skills to protect 
     against dislocation;
       (ii) pursue career advancement; and
       (iii) enhance their ability to reenter the work force;
       (F) by students and entry level workers, to determine the 
     skill levels and competencies needed to be obtained in order 
     to compete effectively for high wage jobs;
       (G) by training providers and educators, to determine 
     appropriate training services to be offered by the providers 
     and educators;
       (H) by Government, to evaluate whether publicly funded 
     training assists participants to meet skill standards where 
     such standards exist and thereby protect the integrity of 
     public expenditures; and
       (I) to facilitate linkages between other components of the 
     work force investment strategy, including school-to-work 
     transition and job training programs.

     SEC. 503. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL BOARD.

       (a) In General.--There is established a National Skill 
     Standards Board (hereafter referred to in this title as the 
     ``National Board'').
       (b) Composition.--
       (1) In general.--The National Board shall be composed of 28 
     members (appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)), of 
     whom--
       (A) one member shall be the Secretary of Labor;
       (B) one member shall be the Secretary of Education;
       (C) one member shall be the Secretary of Commerce;
       (D) one member shall be the Chairperson of the National 
     Education Standards and Improvement Council established 
     pursuant to section 212(a);
       (E) eight members shall be representatives of business 
     (including representatives of small employers and 
     representatives of large employers) selected from among 
     individuals recommended by recognized national business 
     organizations or trade associations;
       (F) eight members shall be representatives of organized 
     labor selected from among individuals recommended by 
     recognized national labor federations; and
       (G)(i) four members shall be certified human resource 
     professionals;
       (ii) three members shall be representatives of educational 
     institutions (including vocational-technical institutions); 
     and
       (iii) one member shall be a representative of 
     nongovernmental organizations with a demonstrated history of 
     successfully protecting the rights of racial, ethnic or 
     religious minorities, women, persons with disabilities, or 
     older persons.
       (2) Special requirements.--The members described in 
     subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) shall have expertise in the 
     area of education and training. The members described in 
     subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1) shall, in 
     the aggregate, represent a broad cross-section of occupations 
     and industries.
       (3) Appointment.--The membership of the National Board 
     shall be appointed as follows:
       (A) Twelve members (four from each class of members 
     described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph 
     (1)) shall be appointed by the President.
       (B) Six members (two from each class of members described 
     in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) shall be 
     appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of 
     the members so appointed, three members (one from each class 
     of members described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
     paragraph (1)) shall be selected from recommendations made by 
     the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and three 
     members (one from each class of members described in 
     subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) shall be 
     selected from recommendations made by the Minority Leader of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (C) Six members (two from each class of members described 
     in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) shall be 
     appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. Of the 
     members so appointed, three members (one from each class of 
     members described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
     paragraph (1)) shall be selected from recommendations made by 
     the Majority Leader of the Senate and three members (one from 
     each class of members described in subparagraphs (E), (F), 
     and (G) of paragraph (1)) shall be selected from 
     recommendations made by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
       (4) Ex officio nonvoting members.--The members of the 
     National Board specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and 
     (D) of paragraph (1) shall be ex officio, nonvoting members 
     of the National Board.
       (5) Term.--Each member of the National Board appointed 
     under subparagraph (E), (F), or (G) of paragraph (1) shall be 
     appointed for a term of 4 years, except that of the initial 
     members of the Board appointed under such subparagraphs--
       (A) twelve members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years 
     (four from each class of members described in subparagraphs 
     (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)), of whom--
       (i) two from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(A);
       (ii) one from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(B); and
       (iii) one from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(C); and
       (B) twelve members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years 
     (four from each class of members described in subparagraphs 
     (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)), of whom--
       (i) two from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(A);
       (ii) one from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(B); and
       (iii) one from each such class shall be appointed in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(C).
       (6) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the National Board shall not 
     affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as 
     the original appointment.
       (c) Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons.--
       (1) Chairperson.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the National Board, by majority vote, shall elect a 
     Chairperson once every 2 years from among the members of the 
     National Board.
       (B) Initial chairperson.--The first Chairperson of the 
     National Board shall be elected, by a majority vote of the 
     National Board, from among the members who are 
     representatives of business (as described in subparagraph (E) 
     of subsection (b)(1)) and shall serve for a term of 2 years.
       (2) Vice chairpersons.--The National Board, by majority 
     vote, shall annually elect 3 Vice Chairpersons (each 
     representing a different class of the classes of members 
     described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of subsection 
     (b)(1) and each of whom shall serve for a term of 1 year) 
     from among its members appointed under subsection (b)(3).
       (d) Compensation and Expenses.--
       (1) Compensation.--Members of the National Board who are 
     not full-time employees or officers of the Federal Government 
     shall serve without compensation.
       (2) Expenses.--The members of the National Board shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57, title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the National 
     Board.
       (e) Executive Director and Staff.--
       (1) Executive director.--The Chairperson of the National 
     Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be 
     compensated at a rate determined by the National Board not to 
     exceed the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Staff.--The Executive Director may appoint and 
     compensate such additional staff as may be necessary to 
     enable the Board to perform its duties. The Executive 
     Director may fix the compensation of the staff without regard 
     to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
     53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification 
     of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the 
     rate of pay for the staff may not exceed the rate payable for 
     level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
     title.
       (f) Gifts.--The National Board is authorized, in carrying 
     out this title, to accept and employ or dispose of in 
     furtherance of the purposes of this title, any money or 
     property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, 
     received by gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise, and to 
     accept voluntary and uncompensated services notwithstanding 
     the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
       (g) Agency Support.--
       (1) Use of facilities.--The National Board may use the 
     research, equipment, services and facilities of any agency or 
     instrumentality of the United States with the consent of such 
     agency or instrumentality.
       (2) Staff of federal agencies.--Upon the request of the 
     National Board, the head of any Federal agency of the United 
     States may detail to the National Board, on a reimbursable 
     basis, any of the personnel of such Federal agency to assist 
     the National Board in carrying out this title. Such detail 
     shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status 
     or privilege.
       (h) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
     The Chairperson of the National Board may procure temporary 
     and intermittent services of experts and consultants under 
     section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
       (i) Termination of the Commission.--Section 14(a)(2) of the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
     apply with respect to the termination of the National Board.

     SEC. 504. FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD.

       (a) Identification of Occupations.--The National Board, 
     after extensive public consultation, shall identify broad 
     clusters of major occupations that involve one or more than 
     one industry in the United States.
       (b) Establishment of Voluntary Partnerships To Develop 
     Standards.--
       (1) In general.--For each of the occupational clusters 
     identified pursuant to subsection (a), the National Board 
     shall encourage and facilitate the establishment of voluntary 
     partnerships to develop a skill standards system in 
     accordance with subsection (d).
       (2) Representatives.--Such voluntary partnerships shall 
     include the full and balanced participation of--
       (A)(i) representatives of business (including 
     representatives of large employers and representatives of 
     small employers) who have expertise in the area of work force 
     skill requirements, and who are recommended by national 
     business organizations or trade associations representing 
     employers in the occupation or industry for which a standard 
     is being developed; and
       (ii) representatives of trade associations that have 
     received grants from the Department of Labor or the 
     Department of Education to establish skill standards prior to 
     the date of enactment of this title;
       (B) employee representatives who--
       (i) have expertise in the area of work force skill 
     requirements; and
       (ii) shall be--

       (I) individuals recommended by recognized national labor 
     organizations representing employees in the occupation or 
     industry for which a standard is being developed; and
       (II) such individuals who are nonmanagerial employees with 
     significant experience and tenure in such occupation or 
     industry as are appropriate given the nature and structure of 
     employment in the occupation or industry; and

       (C) representatives of--
       (i) educational institutions;
       (ii) community-based organizations;
       (iii) State and local agencies with administrative control 
     or direction over education or over employment and training;
       (iv) other policy development organizations with expertise 
     in the area of work force skill requirements; or
       (v) nongovernmental organizations with a demonstrated 
     history of successfully protecting the rights of racial, 
     ethnic, or religious minorities, women, persons with 
     disabilities, or older persons.
       (3) Experts.--The partnerships described in paragraph (2) 
     may also include other individuals who are independent, 
     qualified experts in their fields.
       (c) Research, Dissemination, and Coordinations.--In order 
     to support the activities described in subsections (b) and 
     (d), the National Board shall--
       (1) conduct work force research relating to skill standards 
     and make the results of such research available to the 
     public, including the voluntary partnerships described in 
     subsection (b);
       (2) identify and maintain a catalog of skill standards used 
     by other countries and by States and leading firms and 
     industries in the United States;
       (3) serve as a clearinghouse to facilitate the sharing of 
     information on the development of skill standards and other 
     relevant information among representatives of occupations and 
     industries identified pursuant to subsection (a), and among 
     education and training providers;
       (4) develop a common nomenclature relating to skill 
     standards;
       (5) encourage the development and adoption of curricula and 
     training materials, for attaining the skill standards 
     endorsed pursuant to subsection (d), that provide for 
     structured work experiences and related study programs 
     leading to progressive levels of professional and technical 
     certification;
       (6) provide appropriate technical assistance to voluntary 
     partnerships involved in the development of standards and 
     systems described in subsection (b); and
       (7) facilitate coordination among voluntary partnerships 
     that meet the requirements of subsection (b)(2) in order to 
     promote the development of a coherent national system of 
     voluntary skill standards.
       (d) Endorsement of Skill Standards Systems.--
       (1) In general.--The National Board, after public review 
     and comment, shall endorse skill standards systems relating 
     to the occupational clusters identified pursuant to 
     subsection (a) that--
       (A) meet the requirements of paragraph (2);
       (B) are submitted by voluntary partnerships that meet the 
     requirements of subsection (b)(2); and
       (C) meet additional objective criteria that are published 
     by the National Board.
       (2) Components of system.--The skill standards systems 
     endorsed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall have one or more of 
     the following components:
       (A) Voluntary skill standards, which--
       (i) are formulated in such a manner that promotes the 
     portability of credentials and facilitates worker mobility 
     within an occupational cluster or industry and among 
     industries;
       (ii) are in a form that allows for regular updating to take 
     into account advances in technology or other developments 
     within the occupational cluster;
       (iii) are not discriminatory with respect to race, color, 
     religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, or 
     disability;
       (iv) meet or exceed the highest applicable standards used 
     in the United States, including apprenticeship standards 
     registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known 
     as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'', 50 Stat. 664, chapter 
     663, 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.); and
       (v) have been developed after taking into account--

       (I) relevant standards used in other countries and relevant 
     international standards;
       (II) voluntary national content standards and voluntary 
     national student performance standards developed pursuant to 
     section 213; and
       (III) the requirements of high performance work 
     organizations.

       (B) A voluntary system of assessment and certification of 
     the attainment of skill standards developed pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A), which--
       (i) utilizes a variety of evaluation techniques, including, 
     where appropriate, oral and written evaluations, portfolio 
     assessments, and performance tests;
       (ii) includes methods for establishing the validity and 
     reliability of the assessment and certification system for 
     the intended purposes of the system; and
       (iii) has been developed after taking into account relevant 
     methods of assessment and certification used in other 
     countries.
       (C) A system to disseminate information relating to the 
     skill standards, and the assessment and certification 
     systems, developed pursuant to this paragraph (including 
     dissemination of information relating to civil rights laws 
     relevant to the use of such standards and systems), and to 
     promote use of such standards and systems by, entities such 
     as institutions of higher education offering professional and 
     technical education, labor organizations, trade and technical 
     associations, and employers providing formalized training, 
     and other organizations likely to benefit from such standards 
     and systems.
       (D) A system to evaluate the implementation and 
     effectiveness of the skill standards, the assessment and 
     certification systems, and the information dissemination 
     systems, developed pursuant to this paragraph.
       (E) A system to periodically revise and update the skill 
     standards, and the assessment and certification systems, 
     developed pursuant to this paragraph, which will take into 
     account changes in standards in other countries.
       (e) Relationship With Civil Rights Laws.--
       (1) In general.--Nothing in this title shall be construed 
     to modify or affect any Federal or State law prohibiting 
     discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, 
     national origin, ethnicity, age, or disability.
       (2) Evidence.--The endorsement or absence of an endorsement 
     by the National Board of a skill standard, or assessment and 
     certification system, endorsed under subsection (d) may not 
     be used in any action or proceeding to establish that the use 
     of a skill standard or assessment and certification system 
     conforms or does not conform to the requirements of civil 
     rights laws.
       (f) Coordination.--The National Board shall establish 
     cooperative arrangements with the National Education 
     Standards and Improvement Council to promote the coordination 
     of the development of skill standards under this section with 
     the development of voluntary national content standards and 
     voluntary national student performance standards in 
     accordance with section 213.
       (g) Financial Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--(A) From funds appropriated pursuant to 
     the authority of section 507, the Secretary of Labor may 
     award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative 
     arrangements (including awarding grants to, and entering into 
     contracts and cooperative agreements with, voluntary 
     partnerships in accordance with paragraph (2)) that are 
     requested by the National Board for the purposes of carrying 
     out this title.
       (B) Each entity desiring a grant, contract or cooperative 
     agreement under this title shall submit an application to the 
     National Board at such time, in such manner and accompanied 
     by such information as the National Board may reasonably 
     require.
       (2) Special rule regarding assistance for voluntary 
     partnerships.--The Secretary only shall award a grant to, or 
     enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with, a 
     voluntary partnership that meets the requirements of 
     subsection (b)(2) for the development of skill standards 
     systems in accordance with subsection (d).
       (3) Criteria for board consideration.--Prior to each of the 
     fiscal years 1994 through 1998, the National Board shall 
     publish objective criteria for the National Board's 
     consideration of applications submitted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1)(B).
       (4) Recommendations to the secretary of labor.--The 
     National Board shall review each application received 
     pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) in accordance with the objective 
     criteria published pursuant to paragraph (3), and shall 
     submit each such application to the Secretary of Labor 
     accompanied by a recommendation by the National Board on 
     whether or not the Secretary of Labor should award a grant to 
     the applicant.
       (5) Limitation on use of funds.--
       (A) In general.--Not more than 20 percent of the funds 
     appropriated pursuant to the authority of section 507(a) for 
     each fiscal year shall be used by the National Board for the 
     costs of administration.
       (B) Startup costs.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in 
     order to facilitate the establishment of the National Board, 
     the limitation contained in subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
     to funds appropriated pursuant to the authority of section 
     507(a) for fiscal year 1994.
       (C) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
     ``costs of administration'' means costs relating to staff, 
     supplies, equipment, space, and travel and per diem, costs of 
     conducting meetings and conferences, and other related costs.

     SEC. 505. DEADLINES.

       Not later than December 31, 1996, the National Board 
     shall--
       (1) identify occupational clusters pursuant to section 
     504(a) representing a substantial portion of the work force; 
     and
       (2) promote the endorsement of an initial set of skill 
     standards in accordance with section 504(d) for such 
     clusters.

     SEC. 506. REPORTS.

       The National Board shall prepare and submit to the 
     President and the Congress in each of the fiscal years 1994 
     through 1998, a report on the activities conducted under this 
     title. Such report shall include information on the extent to 
     which skill standards have been adopted by employers, 
     training providers, and other entities, and on the 
     effectiveness of such standards in accomplishing the purposes 
     described in section 502.

     SEC. 507. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and 
     such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1995 
     through 1998.
       (b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.

     SEC. 508. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this title:
       (1) Community-based organizations.--The term ``community-
     based organizations'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 4(5) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 
     1503(5)).
       (2) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
     institution'' means a high school, a vocational school, and 
     an institution of higher education.
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).
       (4) Skill standard.--The term ``skill standard'' means the 
     level of knowledge and competence required to successfully 
     perform work-related functions within an occupational 
     cluster.

     SEC. 509. SUNSET PROVISION.

       (a) Repeal.--This title is repealed on September 30, 1998.
       (b) Review of Repeal.--It is the sense of the Congress that 
     the appropriate committees of the Congress should review the 
     accomplishments of the National Board prior to the date of 
     repeal described in subsection (a) in order to determine 
     whether it is appropriate to extend the authorities provided 
     under this title for a period beyond such date.
                                 ______


                  NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1993

                                 ______


                      KASSEBAUM AMENDMENT NO. 1357

  (Ordered to lie on the table)
  Mrs. Kassebaum submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her 
to the bill (S. 4) to promote the industrial competitiveness and 
economic growth of the United States by strengthening and expanding the 
civilian technology programs of the Department of Commerce, amending 
the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to enhance the 
development and nationwide deployment of manufacturing technologies, 
and authorizing appropriations for the Technology Administration of the 
Department of Commerce, including the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, and for other purposes; as follows:

       On page 98, immediately proceeding line 1, insert the 
     following:

               TITLE VII-GENERAL AVIATION REVITALIZATION

Sec. 701. Short title.
Sec. 702. Time limitation on civil actions against aircraft 
              manufacturers.
Sec. 703. Conforming amendment.''.

       On page 216, after line 12, add the following:

               TITLE VII--GENERAL AVIATION REVITALIZATION

     SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``General Aviation 
     Revitalization Act of 1994''.

     SEC. 702. TIME LIMITATION ON CIVIL ACTIONS AGAINST AIRCRAFT 
                   MANUFACTURERS.

       Title XI of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 
     App. 1510-1518) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new section:

     ``SEC. 1119. TIME LIMITATION ON CIVIL ACTIONS AGAINST 
                   AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS.

       ``(a) In General.--No civil action for damages for death or 
     injury to persons or damage to property arising out of an 
     accident involving a general aviation aircraft may be brought 
     against the manufacturer of the aircraft or the manufacturer 
     of any component, system, subassembly, or other part of the 
     aircraft, if the accident occurred--
       ``(1) more than 15 years after--
       ``(A) the date of delivery of the aircraft to its first 
     purchaser or lessee, if delivered directly from the 
     manufacturer; or
       ``(B) the date of first delivery of the aircraft to a 
     person engaged in the business of selling or leasing such 
     aircraft; or
       ``(2) with respect to any component, system, subassembly, 
     or other part which replaced another product originally in, 
     or which was added to, the aircraft, and which is alleged to 
     have caused the claimant's damages, more than 15 years after 
     the date of the replacement or addition.
       ``(b) General Aviation Aircraft Defined.--For the purposes 
     of this section, the term `general aviation aircraft' means 
     any aircraft for which a type certificate or an airworthiness 
     certificate has been issued by the Administrator, which, at 
     the time such certificate was originally issued, had a 
     maximum seating capacity of fewer than 20 passengers, and 
     which was not, at the time of the accident, engaged in 
     scheduled passenger carrying operations as defined under 
     regulations issued under this Act.
       (c) Relationship to Other Laws.--This section supersedes 
     any Federal or State law to the extent that such law permits 
     a civil action described in subsection (a) to be brought 
     after the applicable deadline for such civil action 
     established by subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 703. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

       The table of contents contained in the first section of the 
     Federal Aviation Act of 1958 is amended by adding at the end 
     of the matter relating to title XI of such Act the following:
``Sec. 1119. Time Limitation on Civil Actions Against Aircraft 
              Manufacturers.
``(a) In general.
``(b) General aviation aircraft defined.
``(c) Relationship to other laws.''.
                                 ______


                    GOALS 2000: EDUCATE AMERICA ACT

                                 ______


                        GREGG AMENDMENT NO. 1358

  Mr. GREGG proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1150, supra; as 
follows:

       At the end of title IV, insert the following:

     SEC.  . ADDITIONAL FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that 
     the funds provided under this Act cannot be utilized by the 
     Federal Government to contribute to an unfunded Federal 
     mandate.
       (b) Requirements.--Subject to subsection (c) and 
     notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, no 
     provision of Federal law shall require a State, in order to 
     receive funds under this Act, to comply with any Federal 
     requirement, other than a requirement of this Act as in 
     effect on the effective date of this Act
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Any provision of Federal 
     statutory or regulatory law, in effect on or after the 
     effective date of this Act, shall be subject to subsection 
     (b) unless such law explicitly excludes the application of 
     subsection (b) by reference to this section.
                                 ______


                     GREGG AMENDMENT NOS. 1359-1365

  Mr. KENNEDY (for Mr. Gregg) proposed seven amendments to the bill S. 
1150, supra; as follows:

                           Amendment No. 1359

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate limitations or class size for a State, local 
     educational agency, or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1360

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate a Federal teacher certification system for a 
     State, local educational agency or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1361

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate teacher instructional practices for a State, 
     local educational agency or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1362

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate equalized spending per pupil for the State, 
     local educational agency or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1363

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate national school building standards for a 
     State, local educational agency or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1364

       On page 115, line 17, strike ``and''.
       On page 115, line 20, strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       On page 115, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) to mandate curriculum content for a State, local 
     educational agency or school.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1365

       Strike line 24 on page 44 and everything that follows 
     through line 2 on page 45, and inserting in lieu thereof:
       ``(g) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
     to--
       ``(1) require any State to have standards certified 
     pursuant to subsection (b) or (d) in order to participate in 
     any Federal program; or
       ``(2) create a legally enforceable right for any person 
     against a State, local educational agency, or school based on 
     a standard or assessment certified by the Council or the 
     criteria developed by the Council for such certification.''.
                                 ______


                SIMON (AND WELLSTONE) AMENDMENT NO. 1366

  Mr. SIMON (for himself and Mr. Wellstone) proposed an amendment, to 
the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       On page 79, strike all beginning with line 6, through page 
     79, line 14, and insert the following:
       (d) Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--Each State improvement 
     plan shall establish a strategy and timetable for--
       (1) adopting or establishing opportunity-to-learn standards 
     that address the needs of all students;
       (2) achieving the State's opportunity-to-learn standards in 
     every school in the State; and
                                 ______


                       KENNEDY AMENDMENT NO. 1367

  Mr. KENNEDY proposed an amendment to amendment No. 1366 proposed by 
Mr. Simon to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       In the pending amendment strike all after: ``(d) 
     Opportunity to Learn'' and insert the following:
       Strategies.--Each State improvement plan shall establish 
     strategies for providing all students with an opportunity to 
     learn, such as--
       (1) adopting or establishing comprehensive State 
     opportunity-to-learn standards:
       (2) establishing a timetable for demonstrating progress 
     toward meeting comprehensive State opportunity-to-learn 
     standards in every school in the State; and
       (3) periodically reporting to the public on the extent of 
     the State's improvement in achieving such standards.
       (e) Technical and Other Assistance Regarding School Finance 
     Equity.--
       (1) Technical assistance.--(A) The Secretary is authorized 
     to make grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative 
     agreements with, State educational agencies and other public 
     and private agencies, institutions, and organizations to 
     provide technical assistance to State and local educational 
     agencies to assist such agencies in achieving a greater 
     degree of equity in the distribution of financial resources 
     for education among local educational agencies in the State.
       (B) A grant, contract or cooperative agreement under this 
     subsection may support technical assistance activities, such 
     as--
       (i) the establishment and operation of a center or centers 
     for the provision of technical assistance to State and local 
     educational agencies;
       (ii) the convening of conferences on equalization of 
     resources within local educational agencies, within States, 
     and among States; and
       (iii) obtaining advice from experts in the field of school 
     finance equalization.
       (2) Research.--(A) The Secretary is authorized to carry out 
     applied research and analysis designed to further knowledge 
     and understanding of methods to achieve greater equity in the 
     distribution of financial resources among local educational 
     agencies.
       (B) The Secretary may carry out research under this 
     paragraph directly or through grants to, or contracts or 
     cooperative agreements with, any public or private 
     organization.
       (C) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary is 
     authorized to--
       (i) support research on the equity of existing State school 
     funding systems;
       (ii) train individuals in such research;
       (iii) promote the coordination of such research;
       (iv) collect and analyze data related to school finance 
     equity in the United States and other nations; and
       (v) report periodically on the progress of States in 
     achieving school finance equity.
       (3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate 
     activities under this subsection with activities carried out 
     by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement.
       (4) Data.--Each State educational agency or local 
     educational agency receiving assistance under the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 shall provide such data 
     and information on school finance as the Secretary may 
     require to carry out this subsection.
       (5) Models.--The Secretary is authorized, directly or 
     through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, to 
     develop and disseminate models and materials useful to States 
     in planning and implementing revisions of the school finance 
     systems of such States.
       (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1965 
     through 1998 to carry out this section.
                                 ______


                DANFORTH (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 1368

  Mr. DANFORTH (for himself, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
Bradley, Mr. Dole, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. D'Amato and Mr. Lautenberg) 
proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       At an appropriate place, insert the following:
       It is the sense of the Senate that the speech made by Mr. 
     Khalid Abdul Mohammed at Kean College on November 29, 1993 
     was false, anti-Semitic, racist, divisive, repugnant and a 
     disservice to all Americans and is therefore condemned.
                                 ______


                 DORGAN (AND CONRAD) AMENDMENT NO. 1369

  Mr. DORGAN (for himself and Mr. Conrad) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       At the appropriate place insert the following:

                       TITLE   --GUN-FREE SCHOOLS

     SEC.    01. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Gun-free Schools Act of 
     1994''.

     SEC.    02. GUN-FREE REQUIREMENTS IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY 
                   SCHOOLS.

       The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating title X as title IX;
       (2) by redesignating sections 8001 through 8005 as section 
     9001 through 9005, respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after title VII the following new title:

                     ``TITLE VIII--GUN-FREE SCHOOLS

     ``SEC. 8001. GUN-FREE REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--No assistance may be provided to any 
     local educational agency under this Act unless such agency 
     has in effect a policy requiring the expulsion from school 
     for a period of hot less than one year of any student who is 
     determined to have brought a weapon to a school under the 
     jurisdiction of the agency.
       ``(2) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the 
     term ``weapon'' means a firearm as such term is defined in 
     section 921 of title 18, United States Code.
       ``(b) Report to State.--Each local educational agency 
     requesting assistance from the State educational agency that 
     is to be provided from funds made available to the State 
     under this Act shall provide to the State, in the application 
     requesting such assistance--
       ``(1) an assurance that such local educational agency has 
     in effect the policy required by subsection (a); and
       ``(2) a description of the circumstances surrounding any 
     expulsions imposed under the policy required by subsection 
     (a), including--
       ``(A) the name of the school concerned;
       ``(B) the number of students expelled from such school; and
       ``(C) the types of weapons concerned.''.
                                 ______


                        GREGG AMENDMENT NO. 1370

  Mr. GREGG proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1150, supra; as 
follows:

       On page 2, in the table of contents, strike the item 
     relating to section 218.
       On page 4, line 6, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
       On page 4, strike lines 7 and 8.
       On page 4, line 9, strike ``(D)'' and insert ``(C)''.
       On page 5, strike lines 6 through 9.
       On page 5, line 10, strike ``(D)'' and insert ``(C)''.
       On page 5, line 18, strike ``(E)'' and insert ``(D)''.
       On page 7, strike lines 4 through 8.
       On page 7, line 9, strike ``(8)'' and insert ``(7)''.
       On page 7, line 15, strike ``(9)'' and insert ``(8)''.
       On page 7, line 20, strike ``(10)'' and insert ``(9)''.
       On page 7, line 23, strike ``(11)'' and insert ``(10)''.
       On page 8, line 3, strike ``(12)'' and insert ``(11)''.
       On page 8, line 5, strike ``(13)'' and insert ``(12)''.
       On page 8, line 8, strike ``(14)'' and insert ``(13)''.
       On page 17, line 10, strike ``, voluntary'' and insert 
     ``and voluntary''.
       On page 17, lines 11 and 12, strike ``and voluntary 
     national opportunity-to-learn standards''.
       On page 22, line 10, insert ``and'' after ``standards,''.
       On page 22, lines 11 and 12, strike ``, and opportunity-to-
     learn standards''.
       On page 22, line 13, strike ``standards,'' and insert 
     ``standards and''.
       On page 22, lines 15 and 16, strike ``and voluntary 
     national opportunity-to-learn standards''.
       On page 24, lines 3 and 4, strike ``voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards,''.
       On page 24, line 6, strike ``213(e)'' and insert 
     ``213(c)''.
       On page 29, line 11, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
       On page 29, strike all beginning with line 12 through page 
     30, line 2.
       On page 30, line 3, strike ``(5)'' and insert ``(3)''.
       On page 36, beginning with line 23, strike all through page 
     40, line 5.
       On page 40, line 6, strike ``(e)'' and insert ``(c)''.
       On page 43, line 24, strike ``content, student performance, 
     and op-'' and insert ``content and student performance''.
       On page 44, line 1, strike ``portunity-to-learn''.
       On page 44, line 12, strike ``content,'' and insert 
     ``content and''.
       On page 44, line 13, strike ``, and opportunity-to-learn''.
       On page 44, line 17, strike ``content, student 
     performance,'' and insert ``content and student 
     performance''.
       On page 44, line 18, strike ``and opportunity-to-learn''.
       On page 44, line 21, strike ``standards,'' and insert 
     ``standards and''.
       On page 44, lines 22 and 23, strike ``, and the voluntary 
     national opportunity-to-learn standards''.
       On page 45, line 24, strike ``voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn stand-''.
       On page 46, line 1, strike ``ards,''.
       On page 46, line 2, strike ``213(e)'' and insert 
     ``213(c)''.
       On page 49, strike all beginning with line 9 through page 
     51, line 7.
       On page 59, line 8, strike ``231(d)'' and insert 
     ``231(c)''.
       On page 63, strike lines 17 through 20.
       On page 63, line 21, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(c)''.
       On page 79, strike lines 6 through 17.
       On page 79, line 18, strike ``(e)'' and insert ``(d)''.
       On page 79, line 21, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(e)''.
       On page 80, line 7, strike ``(g)'' and insert ``(f)''.
       On page 80, line 15, strike ``(h)'' and insert ``(g)''.
       On page 80, line 21, strike ``(i)'' and insert ``(h)''.
       On page 81, line 1, strike ``(h)'' and insert ``(g)''.
       On page 81, line 3, strike ``(j)'' and insert ``(i)''.
       On page 82, line 21, strike ``(k)'' and insert ``(j)''.
       On page 83, line 10, strike ``(l)'' and insert ``(k)''.
       On page 85, line 19, strike ``(j)'' and insert ``(i)''.
       On page 88, lines 8 and 9, strike ``comprehensive State 
     opportunity-to-learn standards,''.
       On page 107, line 13, strike ``213(e)(1)(B)'' and insert 
     ``213(c)(1)(B)''.
       On page 113, lines 7 and 8, strike ``promote the strategies 
     described in section 306(d),''.
       On page 114, lines 24 and 25, strike ``to promote the 
     strategies described in section 306(d)''.
                                 ______


                   DOMENICI AMENDMENTS NOS. 1371-1373

  (Ordered to lie on the table.)
  Mr. DOMENICI submitted three amendments intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

                           Amendment No. 1371

       On page 25, strike lines 19 through 20, and insert the 
     following:
       (c) Voting and final Decisions.--
       (1) In general.--No individual may vote, or exercise any of 
     the duties or powers of a member of the Goals Panel, by 
     proxy.
       (2) Final decisions.--
       (A) In making final decisions of the Goals Panel with 
     respect to the exercise of its duties and powers the Goals 
     Panel shall operate on the principle of consensus among the 
     members of the Goals Panel.
       (B) If a vote of the membership of the Goals Panel is 
     required to reach a final decision with respect to the 
     exercise of its duties and powers, then such final decision 
     shall be made by a three-fourths vote of the membership of 
     the Goals Panel.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1372

       On page 37, line 8, insert ``In carrying out the preceding 
     sentence the Council and the working group are authorized to 
     consider unsolicited proposals for voluntary national 
     opportunity-to-learn standards.'' after the period.
       On page 49, line 9, strike ``GRANT'' and insert ``GRANTS''.
       On page 49, line 11, strike ``Grant'' and insert 
     ``Grants''.
       On page 49, line 13, strike ``a grant or grants'' and 
     insert ``more than 1 grant''.
       On page 49, line 14, strike ``a consortium or''.
       On page 49, line 15, strike ``consortium or''.
       On page 51, line 4, strike ``a grant or grants'' and insert 
     ``more than 1 grant''.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 1373

       On page   , line   , insert ``, particularly identifying 
     actions that should be taken to overcome Federal statutory or 
     regulatory impediments to education reform.'' after 
     ``Goals''.
                                 ______


                SIMON (AND WELLSTONE) AMENDMENT NO. 1374

  Mr. KENNEDY (for Mr. Simon, for himself, and Mr. Wellstone) proposed 
an amendment to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       On page 68, line 15, strike ``and (b)'' and insert ``, (b) 
     and (d)''.
       On page 79, line 8, strike all beginning with ``, such 
     as'', through page 79, line 17, and insert a period.
       On page 105, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
       (a) Technical and Other Assistance Regarding School Finance 
     Equity.--
       (1) Technical assistance.--(A) From the national leadership 
     funds reserved in sec. 304 (a)(2)(A) the Secretary is 
     authorized to make grants to, and enter into contracts and 
     cooperative agreements with, State educational agencies and 
     other public and private agencies, institutions, and 
     organizations to provide technical assistance to State and 
     local educational agencies to assist such agencies in 
     achieving a greater degree of equity in the distribution of 
     financial resources for education among local educational 
     agencies in the State.
       (B) A grant, contract or cooperative agreement under this 
     subsection may support technical assistance activities, such 
     as--
       (i) the establishment and operation of a center or centers 
     for the provision of technical assistance to State and local 
     educational agencies;
       (ii) the convening of conferences on equalization of 
     resources within local educational agencies, within States, 
     and among States; and
       (iii) obtaining advice from experts in the field of school 
     finance equalization.
       (4) Data.--Each State educational agency or local 
     educational agency receiving assistance under the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 shall provide such data 
     and information on school finance as the Secretary may 
     require to carry out this subsection.
       (5) Models.--The Secretary is authorized, directly or 
     through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, to 
     develop and disseminate models and materials useful to States 
     in planning and implementing revisions of the school finance 
     systems of such States.
                                 ______


                       KENNEDY AMENDMENT NO. 1375

  Mr. KENNEDY proposed an amendment to amendment No. 1369 proposed by 
Mr. Dorgan to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       In the pending amendment strike all after the first word 
     and insert the following:
       ``It is the sense of the Senate that school districts 
     should adopt policies which provide for serious sanctions, 
     including the possibility of expulsion from school for no 
     less than one year, for students who bring weapons to 
     school.''.
                                 ______


                    MOSELEY-BRAUN AMENDMENT NO. 1376

  (Ordered to lie on the table.)
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN (for herself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Simon, Mr. Bradley, 
Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Wellstone, and Mr. Pell) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 1150, supra; as follows:

       On page 38, line 5, strike ``and''.
       On page 38, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:
       (E) the extent to which school facilities provide a safe 
     and secure environment for learning and instruction and have 
     the requisite libraries, laboratories, and other resources 
     necessary to provide an opportunity-to-learn; and
       On page 38, line 6, strike ``(E)'' and insert ``(F)''.

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, this amendment would require the 
National Education Standards and Improvement Council, upon 
recommendation from a working group on voluntary national opportunity-
to-learn standards, to certify voluntary national opportunity-to-learn 
standards which address:
  The extent to which school facilities provide a safe and secure 
environment for learning and instruction and have the requisite 
libraries, laboratories, and other resources necessary to provide an 
opportunity to learn.
  Mr. President, my amendment, which the U.S. House of Representatives 
has already included in its version of the Goals 2000: Educate America 
Act, is endorsed by the National Association of School Boards, the 
National Committee for Adequate School Housing, the National Education 
Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Council of Great 
City Schools, the Council of Education Development and Research, the 
American Association of State Colleges, the American Association of 
School Administrators, the American Library Association, and the 
Council of Education Facilities Planners International.
  I am an original cosponsor of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, 
legislation which provides a coherent, national framework for education 
reform founded on the national education goals.
  Goals 2000 encourages States to meet the national education goals by 
authorizing $400 million to help them develop their own internationally 
competitive content and performance standards which define the 
knowledge and skills students need in order to compete in the emerging 
global economy.
  Goals 2000 also encourages States to meet the national education 
goals by authorizing the National Education Standards and Improvement 
Council to certify voluntary national content and performance 
standards.
  Finally, this legislation also encourages States to measure their 
progress in meeting the national education goals by authorizing the 
National Education Standards and Improvement Council to certify 
assessments submitted voluntarily by States which measure the 
achievement of all students.
  Nonetheless, Goals 2000 recognizes that there are possible dangers in 
assessing the achievement of students--especially economically and 
socially disadvantaged students.
  As I have already stated here on the Senate floor, Stephen Gould 
documents in his book, ``The Mismeasure of Man,'' how intelligence and 
achievement tests have been misused throughout history to;

       Rank people in a single series of worthiness, to find that 
     oppressed people and disadvantaged groups--races, classes, or 
     sexes--are invariably inferior and deserve their status.

  Goals 200 limits these dangers by targeting funds to schools with 
large numbers of economically and socially disadvantaged students and 
by authorizing the National Education Standards and Improvement Council 
to certify voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards.
  These standards will define the teaching and learning conditions 
students need in order to have a fair opportunity to achieve the 
knowledge and skills described in the voluntary national content and 
performance standards.
  More specifically, Goals 2000 requires the National Education 
Standards and Improvement Council to certify voluntary national 
opportunity-to-learn standards which address:
  The quality and availability of curricula, instructional materials, 
and technology;
  The capability of teachers to provide high-quality instruction;
  The extent to which teachers and administrators have ready and 
continuing access to professional development; and
  The extent to which curriculum, instructional practices, and 
assessments are aligned to content standards.
  Mr. President, while I firmly believe that these educational inputs 
must be addressed when certifying voluntary national opportunity-to-
learn standards, I am convinced that emerging education reforms are 
doomed unless we house them in adequate school facilities.
  Mr. President, the problems facing public school facilities in this 
country have reached crisis proportions.
  The Education Writers Association has concluded that our Nation's 
education infrastructure needs $125 billion: $84 billion for new 
construction and $41 billion for maintenance and repairs.
  More specifically, EWA has reported that 25 percent of school 
buildings in this country are shoddy places for learning and that 61 
percent of these inadequate schools need major repairs, 43 percent are 
obsolete, 42 percent are environmentally hazardous, 25 percent are 
overcrowded, and 13 percent are structurally unsound.
  Other studies have shown that the problems facing our Nation's school 
facilities are not limited to either rural or urban school districts.
  The Council of Great City Schools has found that New York City, Los 
Angeles, and Chicago need more than $1 billion each to repair old 
school buildings and to build new ones.
  Education researchers from three major research universities, on the 
other hand, have reported that one-half of all rural school buildings 
are unsafe, inadequate, and inaccessible to handicapped students.
  In his book ``Savage Inequalities,'' Jonathan Kozol uses a series of 
interviews and personal observations to show the negative effects that 
inadequate school facilities can have on our Nation's children.
  Mr. Kozol quotes a 1989 St. Louis Post Dispatch story which reads 
``The Martin Luther King Junior High School was evacuated Friday 
afternoon after sewage flowed into the kitchen, gym, and parking lot.''
  Mr. Kozol then encourages his readers to see this school crisis 
through the eyes of a young girl who states: ``We have a school in East 
St. Louis named for Doctor King. The school is full of sewer water and 
the doors are locked with chains. Every student in the school is black. 
It's like a terrible joke on history.''
  Mr. Kozol also quotes another student who is so frustrated with her 
school environment that she states: ``I don't go to Physics class, 
because my lab has no equipment. I don't even use the toilets. If I do, 
I come back into class and I feel dirty''.
  Mr. President, my amendment would increase educational opportunities 
for students in East St. Louis and throughout the country by requiring 
the National Education Standards and Improvement Council to certify 
voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards which define the 
learning environment students need in order to have a fair chance to 
meet the voluntary national content and performance standards.
  More specifically, my amendment would require the Council to certify 
opportunity-to-learn standards which address the safety and security of 
school facilities and the need for adequate school facilities including 
laboratories and libraries.
  In effect, my amendment would further the efforts of Senator Simon 
who has worked tirelessly to highlight the importance of elementary and 
secondary school libraries.
  Mr. President, I am proud to be a cosponsor of Senator Simon's 
Elementary and Secondary School Library Media Act because it addresses 
the fact that young people in correctional institutions often have 
better access to library facilities than average students.
  Mr. President, although my amendment would require the National 
Education Standards and Improvement Council to address the quality of 
school facilities, it does not define any specific opportunity-to-learn 
standards.
  My amendment only encourages the Council to consider the quality of 
school facilities when defining the teaching and learning conditions 
students need in order to have a fair chance to achieve the knowledge 
and skills described in the voluntary national content and performance 
standards.
  Mr. President, I would like to conclude my remarks by urging my 
colleagues to support my school facilities amendment.

                          ____________________