    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 23, 1997]
    [Pages 807-808]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Supreme Court Decision on Federal Funds for Educational
    Programs
    June 23, 1997

        I am pleased with the Supreme Court's decision today which will
    raise educational standards for children across America. For the last 10
    years, school districts have been barred from providing title I
    supplemental remedial educational programs to parochial school students
    in their classrooms. These special programs, which supplement the
    school's base curriculum, provide remedial education to students who
    need more than the standard school day provides.
        My administration sought to overturn this unfair restriction. The
    Court's decision explicitly accepts the position put forth by Solicitor
    General Walter Dellinger, representing Secretary of Education Richard
    Riley, that federally funded supplemental education programs may be
    provided to students of both public and parochial schools without
    running afoul of the principle of separation of church and state. No
    longer will children have to leave their school buildings in order to
    get the assistance they need.
        Because of today's ruling, all schoolchildren, whether in public or
    private schools, can benefit equally from the important supplemental
    remedial programs of title I.

    [[Page 808]]