David Thomas: “we have been focusing for the last 2 weeks on education. Education is probably the answer that is most often given in…”

“we have been focusing for the last 2 weeks on education. Education is probably the answer that is most often given in terms of priorities people think are important. Yet we seem to have a difficult time moving forward. I don't think there is much debate about the concept of helping education, giving young people the opportunity to have a better life. We get bogged down, unfortunately, in the details. I am anxious that we move forward--I hope we can--today and begin the debate. There are legitimate differences of view with respect to what to do, particularly concerning the role of the Federal Government. There are those who believe the Federal Government has great responsibilities and should, indeed, set the stage for how it is done and, whenever Federal money is made available, there ought to be requirements as to how each school should use the money. In the last administration if there was money for education, President Clinton said it had to be used for smaller classes or it had to be used for buildings. The fact is, the needs in different places are quite varied. We must also remember that the contribution from the Federal level is about 6 or 7 percent of the total expenditures for elementary and secondary education. What we are trying to do is assist in certain areas, helping local school boards and State education departments decide what is best for them. I am particularly sensitive to that in that I come from a State with low population density.”