Porter Goss: “I rise in support of this fair, modified open rule. This is a very targeted bipartisan bill, and this rule provides…”

“I rise in support of this fair, modified open rule. This is a very targeted bipartisan bill, and this rule provides ample opportunity for debate and amendment. It is not all there is to be said on the subject of education, but it is a very excellent place to start on a targeted basis. The Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, or Ed-Flex as we call it, is a step towards local control, away from the dictates of Washington. We all know education is a priority interest in our Nation today. It needs to be. We are not doing as well as we need to be. But education is not about what Washington does. It is about teaching students. It is about students learning. Ed-Flex will empower our school districts with the ability to undertake more effective and innovative reform measures and do what works best for them in their schools. For too long schools districts have had to operate within the confines of Federal programs, which often act as an obstruction, despite our best intentions here, but an obstruction rather than an aid. While I would prefer to remove these restrictions all together, providing a waiver process for all States is at least an incremental step in the right direction. Ed-Flex will extend to all 50 States the option to waive certain Federal and State regulations in exchange for increased accountability and results.”