Edward M. Kennedy: “I thank the Senator from Oregon for recognizing the need to clarify this important point. If a State has already enacted…”

“I thank the Senator from Oregon for recognizing the need to clarify this important point. If a State has already enacted a school reform plan and elects to submit the proposal in order to receive funding for its implementation, the Secretary may approve that plan even if it was not developed in accordance with the exact provisions of this bill. The Senator from Oregon and I have worked together on many important education issues in the past, and I am sure we are in agreement that the purpose of the bill is to assist State and local efforts not to force States to engage in superfluous effort. This bill specifically states that 'Federal funds should be targeted to support State and local initiatives and to leverage State and local resources for designing and implementing systemwide education improvement plans.' Preexisting plans will be certified by the Secretary when they are based upon broad-based input from educators and policymakers and if they address the broad issues outlined in the bill.”