INTRODUCTION OF THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO PROTECT AND INVEST IN OUR
NATION'S STUDENTS (EDUCATION OPTIONS) -- HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING (Extensions of
Remarks - March 30, 2000)
[Page: E463]
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HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING
OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, March 30, 2000
- Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Education OPTIONS
Act, the last component of the House's reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Education OPTIONS (Opportunities to
Protect and Invest in Our Nation's Students) bill would allow states and local
school districts unprecedented authority to transfer federal funds among
programs to better meet their needs.
- This bill makes significant improvements in the remaining programs in
ESEA, streamlines programs, reduces bureaucracy, and increases dollars going
to the classroom. We continue our focus on quality, as well as local and
parental empowerment.
- Education OPTIONS includes a provision to allow States and local school
districts to transfer Federal funds among major programs in order to better
meet their unique circumstances, including targeting students with the
greatest academic needs.
- I continue to believe that state and local educational agencies, along
with parents, are in a better position than we are in Washington to determine
how best to use federal funds to help students improve their academic
achievement. Education OPTIONS puts the priority on children rather than
federal regulations.
- The legislation includes programs for violence and drug abuse prevention,
technology in the classroom, charter schools, and a number of other smaller
authorizations. ESEA governs the bulk of the federal government's involvement
in elementary and secondary education. Once this bill is completed the House
will have completed the ESEA reauthorization process that we began last year
with the following components: Education Flexibility Partnership Act (signed
into law as P.L. 106-25); Teacher Empowerment Act, H.R. 1995 (passed the
House); Student Results Act, H.R. 2 (passed the House); Academic Achievement
for All Act, H.R. 2300 (passed the House); LIFT (Literacy Involves Families
Together), H.R. 3222, and Impact Aid, H.R. 3616, were approved last month in
committee and are awaiting consideration by the full House.
- I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
END