[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 23, 1992]
[Pages 1163-1164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1163]]

Statement on Signing the Higher Education Amendments of 1992

July 23, 1992
    Today I am signing into law S. 1150, the ``Higher Education 
Amendments of 1992.'' It reauthorizes the many programs in the Higher 
Education Act of 1965. The legislation is broad in scope and 
significance, encompassing both the Pell Grant and Guaranteed Student 
Loan programs as well as a variety of other programs to assist students 
and institutions of higher education. I hope that many middle- and low-
income families who dream of a college education for their children will 
find that this legislation helps to make their dreams reality.
    Educator Robert Maynard Hutchins once said: ``The object of 
education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their 
lives.'' I think the key phrase here is ``throughout their lives.'' Our 
intention is to make it easier for all Americans to pursue postsecondary 
education and training throughout their lifetimes--whether they are just 
out of high school or returning to school later in life. The world has 
changed, and a solid education is critical for all of us to compete 
effectively in today's global economy and function as responsible 
citizens in our American democracy.
    In pursuing the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
my Administration was guided by three major principles: improving access 
to postsecondary education--especially for middle- and low-income 
students and families; enhancing accountability of all who play a role 
in postsecondary education programs; and promoting educational 
excellence. This legislation is not perfect, but it moves in the 
direction of these principles. It contains a number of valuable program 
integrity and loan default prevention provisions. In particular, these 
provisions will crack down on sham schools that have defrauded students 
and the American taxpayer in the past. The legislation also will take 
the first steps toward establishing the principle of rewarding academic 
achievement through the establishment of Presidential Access 
Scholarships. This is an important first step, and I will work to raise 
further the academic achievement standards for this program.
    I am particularly gratified that segments of my AMERICA 2000 
strategy are part of this legislation. It provides for an alternative 
certification program by which States will develop new routes to teacher 
certification. In addition, the legislation authorizes academies for 
teachers and school leaders to provide these educators with in-service 
training in academic and other educational areas.
    I am also pleased that eligibility for Pell Grants has been provided 
to students studying for degrees on a less than half-time basis. This 
provision was part of my ``Lifelong Learning Act.'' Providing grants to 
individuals taking as little as one course at a time toward their degree 
offers American men and women some of the flexibility they need to 
improve their employment skills while recognizing their commitments to 
jobs and families. This provision enables a working mother in a low-wage 
job to receive financial assistance for courses that would qualify her 
for a better paying, high-skilled job. It allows education to become the 
mechanism by which those at the back of the line can move to the front 
of the line--and realize the American dream.
    In addition to the laudable aspects of S. 1150, the legislation 
unfortunately includes certain constitutionally troublesome provisions 
relating to reports to the Congress containing legislative 
recommendations and the use of audit standards established by the 
Comptroller General. I will construe these provisions to avoid 
constitutional difficulties and preserve the separation of powers 
required by the Constitution.
    We now have the best system of colleges and universities in the 
world. As a next step, I would like to see the same excellence at the 
elementary and secondary school level. To change our country, we must 
change our schools, and I am pleased that the revolution has started and 
is spreading. There are 1,500 communities and 44 States committed to the 
AMERICA 2000 strategy.

[[Page 1164]]

    My AMERICA 2000 legislation calls for four transforming ideas: (1) a 
new generation of break-the-mold New American Schools; (2) world class 
standards and a system of voluntary national exams that measure progress 
that schools make toward meeting those standards; (3) broad flexibility 
for teachers and principals to help children achieve greater learning; 
and (4) parental choice of schools so that middle- and low-income 
families have more of the same choices of schools for their children 
that are now the preserve of wealthier families. We cannot afford to 
accept business-as-usual here in Washington while the country demands 
change and improvement.
    Yesterday, Senator Danforth and Congressman Gradison introduced my 
``Federal Grants for State and Local `GI Bills' for Children.'' It will 
give middle- and low-income families consumer power--dollars to spend at 
any lawfully operating school of their choice--public, private, or 
religious. Just as the original GI Bill and Pell Grants transformed 
higher education, the ``GI Bills'' for Children will help transform 
elementary and secondary education.
    I am pleased to sign the ``Higher Education Amendments of 1992.'' I 
look forward to signing the ``Federal Grants for State and Local `GI 
Bills' for Children'' in the near future, and I am hopeful we can work 
together to produce an AMERICA 2000 bill just as we worked together on 
the bill I am signing today.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
July 23, 1992.

                    Note: S. 1150, approved July 23, was assigned Public 
                        Law No. 102-325.