Political Quotes

“I, unfortunately, have to oppose the amendment also, and join in the comments of my colleague from Massachusetts. We tried very hard to develop a proper process for developing State plans and for the awarding of funds. We felt it was very important that in order to get satisfactory planning and satisfactory results we would rely on a bottom-up approach to get the people who are involved in education at the local level-local education agencies, and administrators, and communities to work together to develop their applications for funds. Then they would be in a position to apply for the programs. We provide that the Governors may comment on applications and, thus, have a say in it. I have to say the reason I oppose this is that my State of Vermont has developed a program along the lines which we are dealing with in the legislation today. Their model, which has worked so well, was a part of the structure in the design of the bill that we have before us. The States vary on what their functions are. In our case, the roles of the State board of education and the Governor are split. Adopting the amendment of the Senator from Florida would basically do away with our whole system of designing what education ought to be in the States.”