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Contacts:
Billie Rollins
Council Praises President's Continuing Priority for Education - Urges President/Congress Agreement Boosting U.S. Education Toward First In the World
Washington, D.C., January 27, 2000-On behalf of the state superintendents and commissioners of education, Executive Director Gordon M. Ambach tonight released this statement:
"We applaud President Clinton's continuing top priority for education in his final State of the Union Address. The President's message reinforces the bipartisan national commitment to the dual objectives of achieving excellence and equity in education. We urge the President and Congress now to craft an agreement in 2000 that combines his initiatives with key congressional proposals in order to help U.S. student achievement be 'first in the world.'
"President Clinton and the Congress have an unparalleled opportunity in this millennial year and period of strong economy to enact a major new Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The President advances bold actions at high leverage points--early childhood education, strengthening teacher and school leader quality, financing school construction, reforming low performing schools, extending learning for underachieving students and expanding the use of learning technologies. Members of Congress have advanced their priorities. In the ensuing months, we urge bipartisan agreement on the most effective combination of programs to improve student achievement.
"During the past three years, Congress and President Clinton have reached bipartisan agreement on national education action. Together they have revitalized programs for disabled students through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; reshaped the Vocational and Technical Education Act and the Higher Education Act; expanded local and state options through the Ed Flex Act; and appropriated education increases in each of the years.
"The President and the Congress together have advanced support for states and localities to set high academic standards and beef up accountability. They have maintained targeted federal investments for students most in need of extra help, and expanded access to technology for learning and programs to strengthen the quality of teaching. Building on this record, they are positioned to bring together State of the Union and Congressional proposals that will help states and localities create education opportunities for U.S. students to be 'first in the world.'
"For our nation to continue as first in the world's security and first in the world's economy, we must be first in learning. We urge President Clinton and the Congress to reach a powerful bipartisan agreement toward that objective. The future of our students, and of our nation, depends on how strong an agreement is reached."
The Council of Chief State School Officers is a nationwide, nonprofit organization comprised of the public officials who head the departments of elementary and secondary education, and in some states, other aspects of education in the state, five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools.
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Council of Chief State School Officers
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW · Suite 700 · Washington, DC 20001-1431
voice: 202.408.5505 · fax: 202.408.8072
