Mitch Landrieu: “That is the objective. If I could read into the Record the way the schools are chosen now, it is if they are student…”

“That is the objective. If I could read into the Record the way the schools are chosen now, it is if they are student focused and have great student support, if their standards are challenging and their curricula challenging, if they are teaching active learning, if they have developed partnerships with their communities, and if they have strong leadership. Those are just some of the measures that are used. So, yes, the Senator is correct. As they receive their blue ribbons and their plaques, they are being honored now in our Nation and they are held up to high esteem. The problem is, they basically leave here emptyhanded, because we send them back with a plaque and a ribbon. I think we need send them home with some money and some real help, to put our money where our mouth is and say, ``Good job; here's some money to help you continue to do that good job. You make us proud. You have done it against the odds.'' We want to be a more reliable partner. That is what I think the greatness is with this amendment. There are other approaches we could use, but this is, I think, getting us on the right track. I thank the Senator, and I yield back whatever time I have remaining.”