[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 146 (Friday, September 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12339-S12340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LUGAR (for himself and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 2117. A bill to encourage the development of research-proven 
programs funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senator Lugar, 
to introduce the Proven Programs for the Future of Education Act of 
2007, and the Education Research and Development to Improve Achievement 
Act of 2007. These bills would encourage the use and development of 
research-proven programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965.
  In 2002, Congress enacted the No Child Left Behind Act to close the 
achievement gap between low-income, underperforming students, and their 
more affluent peers. Without a renewed dedication to the quality of 
programs used in our schools, this goal, as well as providing an 
excellent education for students, will be difficult to achieve. While 
there is no question that we have made progress in recent years in 
advancing educational opportunity, I remain concerned about the number 
of schools that are failing to meet the criteria set out in the No 
Child Left Behind Act. We need to look at ways to improve the quality 
of education in a meaningful and comprehensive manner.
  The purpose of the bills that I am introducing today is to create 
incentives for schools to use the programs that meet the highest 
standards for evidence of effectiveness and provide increased 
investment in the research and development to create and evaluate new 
programs. The future of our students' success depends on the quality

[[Page S12340]]

of their educational experience. It is for that reason I have been 
committed to, and will continue to strive for, an improved educational 
system.
  It is my strong belief that one of the clearest ways we can improve 
the quality of education in our schools is to encourage schools to 
focus on existing proven programs that meet the highest quality 
standards. The Proven Programs for the Future of Education Act would 
offer a competitive preference of 10 percent of the total number of 
points awarded to grant applicants who choose to use research-proven 
programs.
  In addition, this legislation would also provide a ten-percent 
competitive preference for applicants who choose research-proven 
reading programs. I believe that the goals of the Reading First program 
are important in improving students' literacy levels. While I am very 
concerned that this program has been beleaguered by greed and 
partisanship, the program has shown to be effective, particularly in 
New Mexico, where according to reports from the U.S. Department of 
Education, in 2006-2007, 58 percent of New Mexico's third-grade 
students in Reading First programs scored proficient or above in 
reading. This is up from 39 percent in 2003-2004. That said, it is 
crucial that states such as New Mexico have the opportunity to consider 
and use research-proven reading programs to further advance educational 
opportunity.
  I believe that stressing quality education programs fosters greater 
academic achievement and motivation in later years, particularly for 
children from low-income families. To this end, this legislation 
provides schools the incentive to advance research-proven programs, 
raising the bar for all educational programs both now and in the 
future.
  As you know, title I-A provides supplemental services to low-
achieving students attending schools with a relatively high 
concentration of students from low-income families. Title I-A is the 
largest Federal elementary and secondary education assistance program, 
with services provided to more than 90 percent of all local educational 
agencies; approximately 52,000--54 percent of all--public schools; and 
approximately 16.5 million--34 percent of all--pupils, including 
approximately 188,000 pupils attending private schools. If the national 
goal of leaving no child behind is to be met, attention and resources 
must also be invested in the research necessary to bring improved 
quality and increased innovation to core areas of title I.
  The Education Research and Development to Improve Achievement Act 
would authorize at least $100 million for rapid development and 
rigorous evaluation of practical programs for use in title I programs 
capable of increasing student achievement in such areas as School 
Improvement and Restructuring, Supplemental Educational Services, 
Reading First, and other areas determined to be in need of further 
development.
  I want to thank Senator Lugar for his leadership and commitment to 
improving education in this country. Senator Lugar remains a tireless 
advocate for our Nation's students, and I am pleased to be working with 
him on this legislation as we begin reauthorizing the No Child Left 
Behind Act.
  This legislation represents a critical step forward in advancing 
research-proven programs for millions of students across the country, 
and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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