Jim Bunning: “I rise to talk for a few minutes about the bill before us today--the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary…”

“I rise to talk for a few minutes about the bill before us today--the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. First of all, I would like to commend the members of the conference committee who worked for months to reach a final agreement. In Congress, you very rarely get exactly what you want, and in this bill I think both sides reached a good compromise that will help our children and our schools. I have 9 kids and 35 grandkids, and I know exactly how important education is. I know how crucial it is for children to be challenged and encouraged at school. It is one of the most important elements of their development. Every child in America deserves a good education, and the President is exactly right when he says no child should be left behind. This bill takes a big step in that direction. It provides increased flexibility of funds, accountability for student achievement and more options for parents. It is a win-win-win bill for students, parents and schools. First, the bill gives new options to kids who have been trapped year after year in failing schools. Schools that do not make adequate yearly progress will face increasingly stiff penalties. For example, students trapped in failing schools will be allowed to transfer to another public school. Personally, I would have preferred giving children and their parents even more options and given them the choice of going to a private or religious school as well.”