[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THE BEST EDUCATION

  (Mr. METCALF asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, as a former teacher, I understand the 
importance of a good education and the foundation it builds for our 
youth. Our schools, both public and private, must establish curricula 
designed to challenge students and to reward classroom successes. 
American students, parents, and teachers must maintain the highest 
level of quality in the field of education.
  Achieving this goal is possible when educational guidelines are drawn 
by parents and local school districts. It takes about 18,000 Federal 
and State employees to manage 780 Federal education programs in 39 
Federal agencies, boards, and commissions at a cost of nearly $100 
billion annually.
  It is thus not surprising that only approximately 70 cents of each 
dollar makes it directly to the classroom. We must do better. We must 
consolidate these programs and ensure that at least 95 percent of the 
funds are directed to the classrooms. Our students deserve the best 
possible education.

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