[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1922-E1923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5598, the 
Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, which will provide for the 
improvement of Federal education research.
  We all know that educational research in all disciplines is critical 
to the education of America's youth. By requiring that research be 
based on valid scientific findings, H.R. 5598 will greatly improve the 
quality of federal scientific research in education.
  As has been talked about today, the Education Sciences Reform Act 
will streamline and strengthen education research by replacing the 
current Office of Educational Research and Improvement with a new, more 
independent Institute of Education Science. The institute will provide 
the infrastructure necessary to undertake coordinated, high quality 
education research and statistical and program evaluation activities 
within the Department of Education.
  Furthermore, H.R. 5598 establishes quality standards that will put an 
end to trends in education that masquerade as sensible science, 
requiring all federally funded activities to meet these new standards 
of quality, including scientifically based research. H.R. 5598 also 
makes certain that research priorities focus on solving key problems 
and are informed by the

[[Page E1923]]

needs of teachers, parents and school administrators, rather than 
political pressure.
  Finally, this bill makes technical assistance, including support in 
carrying out the conditions of No Child Left Behind, ``customer-
driven'' and accountable to school districts, states and regions.
  With that in mind, I would like to thank the Chairman of the 
Education Reform Subcommittee, the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. Castle, 
for his assistance and support of the Southern California Comprehensive 
Assistance Center (SCCAC). Because of the language included in the 
bill, regional education agencies like the Los Angeles County Office of 
Education (LACOE), California's largest regional educational agency, 
which have been critical in providing hands on technical assistance to 
low-performing schools and districts, will be competitive for grant 
funding under the technical assistance title.
  Under the leadership of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, 
the SCCAC provides support, training and assistance to local schools 
and communities in an effort to improve teaching and learning for all 
children, including those who live in poverty, have limited-English 
proficiency, are neglected, delinquent, or have disabilities.
  As the gentleman is aware, section 203 of the bill ensures that local 
entities or consortia eligible to receive grants includes regional 
educational agencies as well. I want to, once again, thank the Chairman 
for his assistance in ensuring that our local regional entities are 
eligible. We are very proud of the work done by our eight county 
comprehensive assistance center and the value it can bring to this new 
system.
  In closing, I urge the House to vote yes on H.R. 5598, a bill that 
builds on the Administration's plans to reform America's education 
system--through accountability, flexibility and local control, 
research-based reform and expanded parental options. I believe that the 
passage of this bill will significantly ensure that our children have 
access to the most advanced educational opportunities possible.

                          ____________________