Frank Lautenberg: “I rise in support of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. I am a cosponsor of this legislation. Mr. President, this…”

“I rise in support of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. I am a cosponsor of this legislation. Mr. President, this legislation codifies the existing six education goals that President Bush and the Nation's Governors agreed to in 1990. It also adds a seventh goal calling for increased parental involvement in education. I strongly support the addition of this goal. Children must receive encouragement at home as well as at school. Mr. President, this legislation also establishes a National Education Goals Panel that will give us a bipartisan reporting on what type of progress we are making towards achieving the seven national education goals. It will also review voluntary national content standards, voluntary student performance standards and voluntary opportunity to learn standards. These voluntary standards will challenge our schools, teachers, students and parents to strive for tangible goals that will ultimately improve our elementary and secondary educational system. This bill also includes a grant program for State and local school districts to develop innovative, 'break and mold' schools. These grants may go to States and school districts for innovative programs like public school choice, public charter schools, magnet schools, curriculum improvement and teacher training. These grants will help stimulate more innovation in our Nation's schools. Mr. President, we need to begin a national crusade to improve our schools.”