Mark Hatfield: “we have done so by indicating that States should not approve waivers for local education agencies or schools unless a…”

“we have done so by indicating that States should not approve waivers for local education agencies or schools unless a reform plan is in place and the waiver will assist the LEA or school in reaching its educational goals. Mr. President, my colleagues may recall that when we last considered legislation like Goals 2000, it was called America 2000 and it was proposed by President Bush. The legislation ultimately passed the Senate and attached to it was my amendment which provided for an original ed-flex demonstration in six States--that was the highpoint in negotiations at that time which was 2 years ago. The amendment passed 95 to 0 on a rollcall vote here in the Senate. Today, the Goals 2000 legislation has broad authority for ed-flex for our schools, but still under the same onus of coming to Washington for an answer. The amendment I am offering is leap years ahead of where we were with America 2000--while it is still a demonstration for six States it is an effort by the Federal Government to truly partner with the States and allow them the maximum latitude to reform their schools, at their level.”