[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      H.R. 2846--NATIONAL TESTING

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                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 5, 1998

  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker. During the first session of the 
105th Congress, nearly 300 members of the House rejected the 
President's federal testing plan as part of the FY 1998 Labor, HHS, and 
Education Appropriation Act. A compromise was reached that prohibited 
the President from moving forward with national testing in FY 1998. 
However, no agreement was reached regarding national testing activities 
in FY 99 or beyond. Therefore, President Clinton is at it again.
  For some reason the Clinton Administration thinks people inside the 
beltway know what is best for my children and my constituent's children 
in Western Oklahoma. The Department of Education is moving forward to 
write a national test to be voluntarily administered to fourth and 
eighth graders in reading and math respectively. How can a huge 
bureaucracy such as the Department of Education know how to test the 
students of Hollis, Oklahoma? Has anyone from the Clinton 
Administration ever been to Hollis, Oklahoma? Is it appropriate to give 
fourth and eighth grade students in Boise City, Oklahoma population 
1,509 the same national test as the students in Boston, Massachusetts? 
What is the Clinton Administration hoping to accomplish with the 
results of these beltway developed tests?
  Many questions still need to be answered regarding the manner in 
which the Administration is moving ahead with test development. During 
consideration of the FY 98 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations 
Act, I head from hundreds of parents who were irate with the proposal 
of national testing. Parents, local PTA's, and local school boards know 
what is best for their local students. Lets support the parents in our 
districts by voting in support of H.R. 2846 and insuring that Congress 
will have a voice in developing any sort of voluntary testing. Parents 
need to know that their children's best interests are being protected.

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