[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO PROTECT AND INVEST IN 
               OUR NATION'S STUDENTS (EDUCATION OPTIONS)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2000

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Education 
OPTIONS Act, the last component of the House's reauthorization of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Education OPTIONS 
(Opportunities to Protect and Invest in Our Nation's Students) bill 
would allow states and local school districts unprecedented authority 
to transfer federal funds among programs to better meet their needs.
  This bill makes significant improvements in the remaining programs in 
ESEA, streamlines programs, reduces bureaucracy, and increases dollars 
going to the classroom. We continue our focus on quality, as well as 
local and parental empowerment.
  Education OPTIONS includes a provision to allow States and local 
school districts to transfer Federal funds among major programs in 
order to better meet their unique circumstances, including targeting 
students with the greatest academic needs.
  I continue to believe that state and local educational agencies, 
along with parents, are in a better position than we are in Washington 
to determine how best to use federal funds to help students improve 
their academic achievement. Education OPTIONS puts the priority on 
children rather than federal regulations.
  The legislation includes programs for violence and drug abuse 
prevention, technology in the classroom, charter schools, and a number 
of other smaller authorizations. ESEA governs the bulk of the federal 
government's involvement in elementary and secondary education. Once 
this bill is completed the House will have completed the ESEA 
reauthorization process that we began last year with the following 
components: Education Flexibility Partnership Act (signed into law as 
P.L. 106-25); Teacher Empowerment Act, H.R. 1995 (passed the House); 
Student Results Act, H.R. 2 (passed the House); Academic Achievement 
for All Act, H.R. 2300 (passed the House); LIFT (Literacy Involves 
Families Together), H.R. 3222, and Impact Aid, H.R. 3616, were approved 
last month in committee and are awaiting consideration by the full 
House.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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