SRES 186 ATS

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

September 24, 1999

Mr. LOTT (for himself, Mr. GREGG, Mr. COVERDELL, Mr. THOMAS, and Mr. FRIST) submitted the following resolution; which was ordered to be placed on the calendar

September 27, 1999

Considered and agreed to

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Whereas the fiscal year 2000 Senate Budget Resolution increased education funding by $28,000,000,000 over the next five years, and $82,000,000,000 over the next ten years, and the Department of Education received a net increase of $2,400,000,000 which doubles the President's requested increase;

Whereas compared to the President's requested levels, the Democratically controlled Congress' appropriations for the period 1993 through 1995 reduced the President's funding requests by $3,000,000,000, and since Republicans took control of Congress, Federal education funding has increased by 27 percent;

Whereas in the past three years, the Congress has increased funding for Part B of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by nearly 80 percent, while the Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget only requested a 0.07 percent increase which is less than an adjustment for inflation, and Congress is deeply concerned that while the Administration has provided rhetoric in support of education of the disabled, the Administration's budget has consistently taken money from this high priority program to fund new and untested programs;

Whereas Congress is not only providing the necessary funds, but is also reforming our current education programs, and Congress recognizes that significant reforms are needed in light of troubling statistics indicating--

(1) 40 percent of fourth graders cannot read at the most basic level;

(2) in international comparisons, United States 12th graders scored near the bottom in both mathematics and science;

(3) 70 percent of children in high poverty schools score below even the most basic level of reading; and

(4) in mathematics, 9 year olds in high poverty schools remain two grade levels behind students in low poverty schools;

Whereas earlier in 1999, the 106th Congress took the first step toward improving our Nation's schools by passing the Education Flexibility and Partnership Act of 1999, which frees States and local communities to tailor education programs to meet the individual needs of students and local schools;

Whereas the 1999 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 will focus on increasing student achievement by empowering principals, local school boards, teachers and parents, and the focus should be on raising the achievement of all students;

Whereas Congress should reject a one-size-fits all approach to education, and local schools should have the freedom to prioritize their spending and tailor their curriculum according to the unique educational needs of their children;

Whereas parents are the first and best educators of their children, and Congress supports proposals that provide parents greater control to choose unique educational opportunities to best meet their children's educational needs;

Whereas every child should have an exceptional teacher in the classroom, and Congress supports efforts to recruit, retrain, and retain high quality teachers;

Whereas quality instruction and learning can occur only in a first class school that is safe and orderly;

Whereas Congress supports proposals that give schools the support they need to protect teachers and students, remove disruptive influences, and create a positive learning atmosphere; and

Whereas success in education is best achieved when instruction focuses on basic academics and fundamental skills, and students should no longer be subjected to untried and untested educational theories of instruction, rather our Nation's efforts should be geared to proven methods of instruction: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) this Congress has taken strong steps to reform our Nation's educational system and allowed States, local schools and parents more flexibility and authority over their children's education; and

(2) the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 will enable this Congress to continue its efforts to send decision making back to States, local schools, and families.

END