    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [April 21, 1993]
    [Pages 477-478]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the ``Goals 2000: Educate America
    Act''
    April 21, 1993

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit today for your immediate consideration and
    enactment the ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act.''
        This legislation strives to support States, local communities,
    schools, business and industry, and labor in reinventing our education
    system so that all Americans can reach internationally competitive
    standards, and our Nation can reach the National Education Goals. Also
    transmitted is a section-by-section analysis.
        Education is and always has been primarily a State responsibility.
    States have always been the ``laboratories of democracy.'' This has been
    especially true in education over the past decades. The lessons we have
    learned from the collective work of States, local education agencies,
    and individual schools are incorporated in Goals 2000 and provide the
    basis for a new partnership between the Federal Government, States,
    parents, business, labor, schools, communities, and students. This new
    partnership is not one of mandates, but of cooperation and leadership.
        The ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act'' is designed to promote a
    long-term direction for the improvement of education and lifelong
    learning and to provide a framework and resources to help States and
    others interested in education strengthen, accelerate, and sustain their
    own improvement efforts. Goals 2000 will:

        Set into law the six National Education Goals and establish
                a bipartisan National Education Goals Panel to report on
                progress toward achieving the goals;
        Develop voluntary academic standards and assessments that
                are meaningful, challenging, and appropriate for all
                students through the National Education Standards and
                Improvement Council;
        Identify the conditions of learning and teaching necessary
                to ensure that all students have the opportunity to meet
                high standards;
        Establish a National Skill Standards Board to promote the
                development and adoption of occupational standards to ensure
                that American workers are among the best

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                trained in the world;
        Help States and local communities involve public officials,
                teachers, parents, students, and business leaders in
                designing and reforming schools; and
        Increase flexibility for States and school districts by
                waiving regulations and other requirements that might impede
                reforms.

        Though voluntary, the pursuit of these goals must be the work of our
    Nation as a whole. Ten years ago this month, A Nation At Risk was
    released. Its warnings still ring true. It is time to act boldly. It is
    time to rekindle the dream that good schools offer.
        I urge the Congress to take prompt and favorable action on this
    legislation.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    April 21, 1993.