Asa Hutchinson: “as we continue to debate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the Educational Opportunities Act, there are…”

“as we continue to debate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the Educational Opportunities Act, there are fundamental fault lines and differences between the Democrats and the Republicans on this very critical and very important issue for this country and for our children. I noticed when Senator Wellstone spoke that he said the Republicans just keep saying change, change, change. I plead guilty to that. We are saying change. That is one of the very clear lines in this debate between those who are defending the status quo--defending the old system, defending the old model, who are saying create more programs, who are saying pour more money into the old programs and the same models--and those of us who say, yes, let's fund education adequately. Yes, let's increase our appropriations for education. But let's make certain that we are using that money efficiently and effectively. If the old model isn't working, it is time that we try something new. That is the fundamental fault line in the debate that has gone on in the Senate for the last week and will continue for the next few days. I have to say that I believe there has been a lot of misinformation about the Educational Opportunities Act that has been put forth on the floor of the Senate. I understand that change is difficult and change is discomforting. There are those who are going to recoil at the thought that we might try something different.…”