[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE ADMINISTRATION'S VISION FOR EDUCATION IN AMERICA

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, over the weekend Vice President Gore 
outlined his vision for American education if he becomes President. The 
speech was billed by the Washington Post as the Vice President's 
``vision for American education in the 21st Century''. Unfortunately 
for our children, the Vice President's vision for American education in 
the 21st century looks a lot like the failed policies of the last 35 
years.
  The VP's speech laid out seven new proposals for American education--
seven proposals that all say Al Gore knows more about educating 
children than do parents, teachers, principals, superintendents and 
school board members all across America. Seven proposals to add to the 
hundreds upon hundreds of education programs run by the federal 
government, so many in fact that no one, not the Department of 
Education, the General Accounting Office or even the Vice President, is 
sure how many there are. Seven proposals that will add to a system of 
top down control of education that puts a higher priority on adults 
filling out forms correctly than on children passing a math or a 
spelling test.
  Today, President Clinton unveiled his proposal to reauthorize the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Unfortunately, the President's 
proposal is filled with more of the ``D.C. knows best'' programs he has 
touted for the past 6\1/2\ years. For example, the President's proposal 
for reducing class size is filled with requirements for states and 
districts to comply with, but does not address the issue of children 
learning.
  For most of this half century Washington, D.C., has been dominated by 
people who believe that centralized decisions and centralized control 
exercised by Washington, D.C., is the best way to solve problems, 
including those in the classroom. This approach has not worked. As 
Washington, D.C., has taken power and authority from local school 
districts, our schools have not improved. But, old habits die hard. The 
belief in centralized power is still very much alive, and embodied by 
the President's and Vice President's proposals.
  I don't believe Al Gore or Bill Clinton know more about what 
America's schools and communities need than they do. In fact, I don't 
believe that I or any other member of Congress or the Administration 
knows more about educating children than do parents or local educators. 
Unfortunately, Al Gore and Bill Clinton have indicated that they will 
continue on the path they've trod throughout their administration--a 
path that begins and ends in Washington, D.C.
  In 1997 I first proposed an amendment to the fiscal year Education 
funding bill. It was stated clearly in that amendment that I believe 
that those closest to our children--their parents, teachers, 
superintendents and school board members--are best able to make 
decisions about their children's education. Last year, I refined that 
legislation to include a ``triple option'' that would allow a state to 
decide where the federal education dollars should go. Both proposals 
passed this body by slim margins and were immediately met with a veto 
threat by the Administration.
  This year, I have worked with a bipartisan coalition of members and 
groups to devise legislation that will allow states maximum flexibility 
in return for increased accountability for the academic achievement of 
their students. My bill, the Academic Achievement for All Act, or 
Straight A's, will be introduced after the Memorial Day recess. I am 
hopeful that this time my colleagues in the Senate will join me in 
giving back to states and local communities the ability to make 
critical decisions about the education of their children.
  This issue boils down to each Senator asking if he or she believes 
schools will be improved through more control from Washington, D.C., or 
by giving more control to parents, teachers, principals, 
superintendents and school board members? I believe our best hope for 
improving the education of our children is to put the American people 
in charge of their local schools.

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