[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 800) to 
     provide for education flexibility partnerships:

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 800, the 
Education Flexibility Partnership Act. This bill would expand the ``Ed 
Flex'' demonstration program, which is currently in use in 12 states, 
to allow all 50 states to participate, and has broad, bipartisan 
support from a number of groups from our governors to our local school 
boards.
  I support this bill because I believe that our states need more 
flexibility when it comes to making decisions on spending Federal 
education dollars. Local school board members and school administrators 
are better positioned than Federal bureaucrats in Washington to make 
decisions that will lead to positive improvements in our children's 
education.
  The ``Ed Flex'' bill will allow local school districts to have 
greater flexibility in how they spend Federal education dollars. It 
empowers them to determine how to best meet the needs of their 
students. In exchange, states will get greater accountability from 
local school districts on how that money is being spent, and whether 
the flexible spending has improved results.
  We hear of numerous examples from the pilot states that have 
benefitted from the ``Ed Flex'' program. In these states, scores have 
increased and students have excelled, even in the poorest areas. My 
governor in New Jersey, Christine Todd Whitman, has made clear what 
``Ed Flex'' will mean to our students. She said, ``Ed Flex would be 
another tool in our arsenal to better coordinate state and Federal 
requirements to provide maximum support for our reform efforts with the 
specific goal of improving student performance.''
  ``Ed Flex'' is an idea whose time has come. The flexibility will 
allow school districts to stretch limited dollars farther, and use 
money where it is most needed. There must still be accountability from 
our local school districts on how the money is being spent, and whether 
core needs--such as math and science education--are being met. This 
bill provides that accountability.
  Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 800, and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.




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