[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 129 (Friday, August 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      A CALL TO REPEAL GOALS 2000

                                 ______


                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 3, 1995
  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, as the House considers the Labor, Health 
and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, considerable 
attention will be devoted to the issue of education. America's schools 
will only improve if Federal and State Governments stop burdening 
schools and teachers with regulations and instead give them the freedom 
to experiment and change. Flexibility and innovation are key elements 
of genuine education reform, not centralized and rigid Federal rules. 
The provisions of Goals 2000 do not coincide with our efforts to shift 
more power to the States, and I believe that funding for this program 
should be discontinued. At this time, I would like to submit a joint 
resolution on behalf of the Alabama State Legislature calling for the 
repeal of Goals 2000.
                               H.J.R. 353

       Whereas, Goals 2,000: Educate America Act and related 
     implementing legislation, ESEA Reauthorization Act, P.L. 103-
     382, which was passed by the Congress in 1994, require the 
     federalization called restructuring of America's educational 
     system; and
       Whereas, the act for the first time in American history, 
     provides a framework to establish national education goals, 
     with the power in federal, state, and local rules; and
       Whereas, this federalization which Goals 2,000 describes 
     101 times as voluntary, is in effect involuntary because it 
     requires that for a state to receive any federal funds, 
     including Chapter 1 funds, a state must submit to national 
     content standards, national student performance standards, 
     federally approved state assessments testing to cover all 
     students regardless of where they are educated, federally 
     approved control of information through technology plans in 
     all programs, federally approved school readiness programs 
     which will necessitate home inspections mandatory community 
     service, school to work programs directing all businesses to 
     require certificates of mastery for all workers, and 
     government oversight of the family; and
       Whereas, this federalization also mandates equalized 
     spending per pupil for a state, local, educational agency, or 
     school; and
       Whereas, the Alabama Legislature last year rejected 
     outcome-based education; and
       Whereas, the federal government does not have the legal 
     constitutional authority to implement a national curriculum 
     or otherwise to usurp state rights; and
       Whereas, American education has been effective when it has 
     taught the basic under local control; and
       Whereas, supervision and education of children must remain 
     the right of parents, and the Goals 2,000 required parent 
     contracts negate this parental authority; Now therefore be it
       Resolved by the Legislature of Alabama, both Houses thereof 
     concurring, That the Legislature calls upon the Alabama 
     Congressional Delegation to repeal Goals 2,000 in order to 
     reverse the power it gives to the federal government; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to each 
     Alabama Congressional member.
     

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