    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 16, 1997]
    [Page 1175]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1175]]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Voluntary National
    Testing for Basic Education Skills
    September 16, 1997

        I am disappointed that the House of Representatives voted tonight to
    block my proposal for voluntary national tests in the basic skills.
    These tests will help raise expectations for our students, provide clear
    standards of achievement in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math,
    and give parents the tools they need to measure the progress their
    children are making. They will help our students learn and our schools
    continue to improve.
        Yet the House of Representatives tonight cast a vote for the status
    quo and against better schools. The same old forces that have resisted
    education reform over the past decade came together to defeat high
    national standards in the basics. They have voted against a plan to
    improve our schools by raising standards, empowering parents, and
    increasing accountability.
        The House vote is unacceptable, and it will not stand. Last week, by
    a bipartisan vote of 87-13, the Senate endorsed my plan for voluntary
    national tests to help students master the basics and embraced my
    proposal to place them under the control of the independent, bipartisan
    National Assessment Governing Board. My administration will work hard to
    make sure that the final legislation reflects the bipartisan support of
    the Senate and the broad support of the American people.