Arlen Specter: “the amendment calls for the Secretary of Education to undertake a study to evaluate the effectiveness of violence…”

“the amendment calls for the Secretary of Education to undertake a study to evaluate the effectiveness of violence prevention under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program. I think it is a good idea. So frequently we make appropriations for certain purposes and never have any concrete idea as to how well the programs are working. One area analogous to this is the money we spent on literacy training and job training, so-called rehabilitation in our correctional system. It is not enough we spend the funding, never having an idea as to really what works and what does not work in terms of stopping recidivism. I believe the Senator from Colorado has struck a good idea. I support the amendment and join with the Senator from Colorado in urging its adoption. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 2224) was agreed to.”