[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23330]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION AGENDA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Democratic 
education agenda for the 107th Congress.
  We live in a changed world: a new economy, new technology, and new 
family realities. More than ever, we all need our children to achieve 
their full potential. But our children are not getting the support they 
need.
  Our friends in the majority promised radical improvements for public 
education when they gained control of the House 6 years ago. They said 
they would get the government out of our schools, and they followed 
through on that pledge by trying to abolish the Department of 
Education.
  They continually turned their backs on their responsibility to focus 
on the priorities of the American people. Saying the Federal government 
has no place in our public schools did nothing to lift up a child or to 
help a parent, and the American people rightly rejected their plan.
  I quote the distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), when I say, ``It is time for a new vision.''
  While looking forward to the 107th Congress, Democrats will make six 
new commitments to modernize our public schools and lift up every 
child:
  First, we will recruit and train high quality teachers and 
principals. Because America's public schools are attended by 90 percent 
of American children, we need to ensure that every class is led by a 
highly-qualified teacher; we also aim to establish new incentives to 
recruit highly-qualified teachers.
  Secondly, we will reduce class size. We will recruit 100,000 highly-
qualified teachers and reduce class sizes for grades one through three 
to a national average of 18 children;
  Thirdly, we will build accountability measures to ensure that school 
districts and States set high standards and help every student achieve 
by building on proven reforms;
  Fourthly, we will build new schools and repair existing ones. The 
Federal help to renovate 6,000 local public schools and repair an 
additional 8,300 schools to improve learning conditions is vital to our 
children's future.
  We will aim to expand educational technology. We will continue to 
provide schools with Internet capacity, and bring new technology into 
the classrooms.
  Finally, we will promote lifelong learning in all of our public 
schools. Our agenda wants to put America on the path to have preschool 
universally available to every child, and to bring the dream of a 
college education closer to reality for everyone by making tuition more 
affordable through tax relief, and by increasing funds for college 
grants and loans.
  These simple six steps will ensure that our children are guaranteed 
the education they deserve.
  Since coming to the House of Representatives, I have worked to bring 
Congress to the classroom. Two years ago, I visited Crispus Attucks 
Junior High School, which was my alma mater. Crispus Attucks is a good 
example of what can be achieved when people in government are committed 
to public education and public schools.
  The school created a good learning environment and provides training 
on computers and the Internet.
  I worked to have Crispus Attucks High School connected with a school 
in Darby, United Kingdom, and they are doing a tremendous job because 
they have similar characteristics, and are getting acquainted in a very 
vital way with each other.
  However, more help is needed. With information technology now a key 
element of the global economy, we must make sure that our children are 
prepared to use this technology when they enter the world of work.
  The Democratic agenda aims to secure computers for all schools. The 
future of our children is vital, and Federal help must not be seen as 
negative big government intervention.
  The educator and author Derek Bok once wrote, ``If you think 
education is expensive, try ignorance.'' Bad House majority policies 
have cost America dearly. Children are being neglected, and they cannot 
raise themselves.
  We would provide $1.7 billion for reducing class size. The opposition 
did not guarantee one Federal dollar for class size reduction.
  We would provide a new $1 billion teacher quality initiative, whereas 
the opposition has rejected this proposal and has proposed funding 
lower than this for two combined programs.
  We would provide $1.3 billion to leverage about $6.7 billion in 
grants and loans to fund school renovation. The opposition rejects this 
approach.
  All of our proposals, including funding for after-school programs, 
safe-and-drug-free schools, accountability and the Head Start and Gear-
Up programs have either been rejected or cut dramatically by the House 
leadership. This is unacceptable.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to stand up for education and for 
our schools, and work towards a better America for all of our children. 
If we do not stand up for education and our schools, we will fall for 
anything.

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