James Rogan: “the issue du jour for the Clinton administration is to create national education testing standards. I find this ironic…”

“the issue du jour for the Clinton administration is to create national education testing standards. I find this ironic in light of today's newspaper account: Former Democrat Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joe Califano has just published a comprehensive report on America's schools. He described them as a ``candy store'' for illegal drugs being available to our Nation's school children. The Clinton Department of Education's response to this report was, in typical ostrich fashion, to ignore it. They replied that our schools are essentially safe and drug free, so ``let's get back to the issue of national standards.'' Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the bipartisan ``national education standard'' we ought to be working for is safe schools that are drug free. How else can we guarantee our children a world-class education? That should be the first priority of President Clinton and his administration. We Republicans will happily work with him to achieve this national standard that we can all be proud of, and pass on a legacy to children that will endure the test of time.”