[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FRIST:
  S. 1270. A bill to establish a partnership for education progress; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


                       the education express act

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a summary of 
the Education Express Act be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the summary was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 The Education Express Act (Ed-Express)


                               objective

       Funds would reaffirm our national commitment to state and 
     local control of education. The purpose of this Act is to 
     infuse significant new dollars into the hands of parents, 
     communities, and state and local governments to improve the 
     education achievement of students. This legislation unties 
     the burdensome and expensive federal strings on education 
     dollars by sending more money straight back to the states and 
     classrooms.
       States may elect to receive elementary and secondary 
     education funding by ``Direct Check.'' Most importantly, it 
     requires that 98 percent of the funding be used directly at 
     the local level. Incentives such as replacing existing 
     burdensome federal categorical programs are provided to 
     encourage states to choose the Direct Check. However, states 
     may choose to remain in the categorical system.
       The legislation creates three local/state programs to 
     enhance educational excellence: Challenge Fund, Teacher 
     Quality Fund, and Academic Opportunity Fund. These programs 
     will result in a substantial increase in federal education 
     assistance--$36.5 billion over five years.


                              how it works

       Those states that opt for the ``Direct Check'' flexibility 
     will receive their educational funding upon the adoption of a 
     state plan written by the governor or the governor's designee 
     that outlines the goals and objectives for the funds--how the 
     state will improve student achievement and teacher quality, 
     and the criteria used to determine and measure achievement.
       Decisons on how funds will be used to meet state goals and 
     objectives will be made at the local level.


                                programs

       Challenge Fund ($17 billion over five years) to improve 
     education achievement. Direct Check states will receive an 
     additional 10% of their allotment.
       Teacher Quality Fund ($14 billion over five years) to 
     improve education achievement. Direct Check states will 
     receive an additional 10%.
       Academic Opportunity Fund ($6 billion over 5 years) to 
     reward student achievement, implement statewide reforms, and 
     reward schools and school districts meeting state goals and 
     objectives. Only Direct Check states will be eligible to 
     receive these funds. States may receive an additional 10% of 
     their allotment if they (1) devote 25% or more of their 
     Challenge Fund allotment for Special Education; (2) 
     demonstrate improved education performance among certain 
     disadvantaged populations; or (3) adopt or show improved 
     performance on state-level National Assessment of Education 
     Progress tests (NAEP).
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