Jay Rockefeller: “I am proud today to join Senator Kennedy and the bipartisan coalition who have been supporting this important piece of…”

“I am proud today to join Senator Kennedy and the bipartisan coalition who have been supporting this important piece of legislation. Goals 2000, Educate America Act, is a key effort to reform and revitalize our education system by focusing on reform at the school level. The provisions of this bill reaffirm our national education goals and it is an investment in converting these goals into reality. Such investments are long overdue. It is worthwhile to emphasize exactly what our goals are: First, all children will start school ready to learn; Second, high school graduation rate will be at least 90 percent; Third, students will achieve a basic competency in key subjects of English, math, science, foreign language, civics, arts, history, economics and geography; Fourth, American students will be first internationally in math and science; Fifth, every citizen will be literate; and Sixth, every school will be free of drugs and violence and offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning. Every parent, teacher, student, and citizen should embrace these basic goals and work together to achieve them by the year 2000. I firmly believe that every child should be given the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential.”