[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CHARTER SCHOOLS AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2616) to 
     amend titles VI and X of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 to improve and expand charter schools:

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2616, the 
Charter Schools Amendments Act.
  H.R. 2616 is one of a series of critical education bills House 
Republicans have scheduled for consideration during this Congress.
  H.R. 2616 builds upon our goals of returning control to our local 
communities and increasing parental choice by providing additional 
resources to assist States in creating new, innovative charter schools.
  During the last year, I attended several hearings throughout the 
country on charter schools. During our visits, committee members heard 
from parents, teachers, administrators, and students who credited the 
success of their schools because they no longer operate under 
burdensome education rules regulations.
  One principal stated her view of the charter school process as, ``a 
waiver of all waivers. We don't have to apply for waivers any more. We 
dream those big dreams, set those high standards, and we meet those 
missions.''
  I was struck most, however, by the enthusiasm and interest shown by 
the parents and students.
  Parents felt empowered by their newfound ability to fully participate 
in their children's education. For example, many serve on 
decisionmaking boards, monitor and assist in classes, and help maintain 
school grounds.
  Likewise, students expressed a new sense of responsibility and 
achievement not found at their old public schools. Many of the schools 
provided these students with individual attention, smaller classrooms, 
and original programs.
  H.R. 2616 builds on these types of successes by carefully targeting 
funds to those States which emphasize autonomy, open the doors for new 
charter schools, and demand accountability.
  In closing, I want to thank my colleague and fellow subcommittee 
chairman, Mr. Riggs, for his outstanding work in bringing this 
important legislation to the floor.
  And, I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for the Charter 
Schools Amendments Act.

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