Political Quotes

“In my 29 seconds, let me make it very clear that the Gorton amendment continues to target title I, the student. The disadvantaged students still get the money, still get the programs. The difference is that 100 percent of the money gets down to the classroom where it is needed. The Gorton amendment has as its underlying theme flexibility and accountability, the two things that we have heard again and again are necessary to accomplish our goals of educating students. We are not doing a good job. Our education system is not successful. When we compare ourselves in the 12th grade to science students all over the world, out of 21 countries only 2 do worse than us. It is not successful. This bill preserves choice. It gives options: No. 1, to continue to receive this $10 billion in Federal funds under the current system with the same regulations, no change. You can choose that. Or your second choice: Have those Federal funds sent directly to the local school districts minus the Federal regulations. Or choice No. 3: Have Federal funds sent to the State education authority minus Federal regulations. As Frank Grogan, Florida's commissioner of education, said: With education, we are already beginning to see States becoming living laboratories. If left to pursue reform without added Federal burdens and interference, States can learn from the success and mistakes of others with the freedom to emulate some programs as models and/or discard those that are ineffective.”