[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Page 1346]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.