    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [October 21, 1999]
    [Pages 1842-1843]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House Action on Legislation on Education Opportunities
    October 21, 1999

        Making our schools work for all America's children is the most
    important challenge we face. By passing H.R. 2 today, the House took an
    important step toward improving educational

    [[Page 1843]]

    opportunities for the Nation's most disadvantaged students. Although I
    have a number of concerns with this bill, I am pleased that H.R. 2
    reflects a bipartisan consensus on several principles of the education
    reform plan I sent Congress earlier this year. As I said in my State of
    the Union Address, the Federal Government has a responsibility not only
    to invest more in our poorest schools, but to demand more results in
    return.
        In particular, the bill continues the work of standards-based
    reform, expands public school choice, and recognizes the importance of
    holding schools accountable for results. I am pleased that a solid
    bipartisan majority in the House voted to reject the false promise of
    vouchers. I am also pleased that the House, by passing the Mink
    amendment, chose to incorporate gender equity provisions in this
    legislation.
        As the reauthorization process continues, I will work with Congress
    to improve certain aspects of this bill, including provisions for
    students with limited English proficiency as well as provisions that
    target funds to our neediest students, increase the quality of Title I
    instructors, and ensure that accountability systems are workable. We
    have more work to do to enact a strong, comprehensive plan to hold
    schools accountable for results. I urge Congress to continue moving
    forward.