    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 19, 1999]
    [Pages 1257-1258]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Proposed Education Legislation
    July 19, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Leader:)
        Nothing will do more to prepare all of our people to succeed in the
    21st century than strengthening our public schools. That's why I am
    deeply concerned about the legislation that the House is preparing to
    consider that undermines a bipartisan commitment to reduce class size in
    the early grades across the nation. If the Congress sends me H.R. 1995
    in its current form, I will veto it in order to protect our nation's
    commitment to smaller classes and better schools.
        Last year, Congress came together across party lines to make a down
    payment to begin hiring 100,000 well-prepared teachers to reduce class
    size to a nationwide average of 18. Earlier this month, the Education
    Department released $1.2 billion in grants to help states and local
    school districts begin hiring the first 30,000 well-trained teachers for
    the new school year. Now is the time to work together to keep our
    bipartisan commitment on class size, not walk away from it.
        After all, research confirms what parents and teachers understand:
    smaller classes with well-prepared teachers have a lasting impact on
    student achievement, with the greatest benefits for lower achieving,
    minority, and poor children.

    [[Page 1258]]

        Earlier this year, I sent to Congress my proposal to reauthorize the
    Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would help all students
    reach high standards by strengthening accountability, improving teacher
    quality, and building on our progress to reduce class size in the early
    grades all across America. Regrettably, in its current form, H.R. 1995
    abolishes a dedicated funding stream for class size reduction and
    replaces it with a block grant that fails to guarantee that any funding
    will be used for hiring new teachers to reduce class size. It eliminates
    the focus on early grades where smaller classes make the most difference
    and help children learn to read and master the basics. Moreover, the
    block grant could be used simply to replace state or local funding
    instead of increasing overall investment in our public schools. I urge
    the House to approve a substitute measure that I understand will be
    offered by Representative Martinez, that
    would improve teacher quality and maintain our commitment to the class-
    size reduction effort begun last year.
        Last year we made a promise to America's children to provide smaller
    classes with well-prepared teachers. I urge Congress to keep that
    promise by enacting legislation that improves our nation's schools by
    ensuring greater investments in education, improved teacher quality, and
    smaller classes all across America.
            Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Richard A. Gephardt, minority leader,
    House of Representatives.