Thomas E. Petri: “I really rise in support of the rule and also to praise the author of this bipartisan legislation, the gentleman from…”

“I really rise in support of the rule and also to praise the author of this bipartisan legislation, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson). He is right, this legislation is a modest step forward to provide needed flexibility with proper controls to enable our education system to take greater advantage of new technology. This is not going to be the final answer. This is going to be subject to reauthorization in a couple of years. But why we should wait and why we should not, with controls, allow the education institutions of America to adapt to incorporated distance learning to other greater extent is beyond me. The fact of the matter is that no institution would be enabled to go forward under this legislation if it were enacted unless it had a student default rate of less than 10 percent for the 3 most recent years. So really that door is closed. Furthermore, they could not automatically go ahead and get rid of some of the automated rules about in-class hours. They would have to submit their plan, and the Secretary could disapprove it if he felt it was inappropriate. This legislation will help people who are working parents who cannot otherwise upgrade their knowledge easily because they are working and they have got to take care of their family. They can do that through distance learning at home on their computers. It will help people in rural areas, economically disadvantaged people.”