    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 8, 1998]
    [Pages 14-15]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on National Education Standards
    January 8, 1998

        This week, an independent report showed that more than half the
    students in our Nation's city schools are failing to master the basics
    in reading, math, and science--the building blocks of all the skills
    they will need to succeed in the 21st century. And while some city
    school* systems are making progress, all too many are clearly failing
    our children.
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        *White House correction.

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        As a nation, we have a responsibility to all of our children and
    especially to those in our most vulnerable communities. That is why I
    have fought for high national standards and national tests to help our
    children reach their highest potential.
        Since I called for national standards, I am proud to say that 15
    major city school systems have stepped forward to accept my challenge.
    But we must not rest until every school system in the Nation commits to
    adopting high standards--and helping their students to meet them.
        If we are going to go strong into the 21st century, we must continue
    to expand opportunity for all of our people, and when it comes to our
    children's education, that means continuing to expect and demand the
    very best from our schools, our teachers, and above all, from our
    students. That is why I have fought for excellence, competition, and
    accountability in our Nation's public schools, with more parental
    involvement, greater choice, better teaching, and an end to social
    promotion. We cannot afford to let our children down when they need us
    the most.