CONGRESS WATCH
EDUCATION IS NO. 1 PRIORITY FOR BUSH AND CONGRESS
By Margo Turner
Feb. 4, 2001

President George W. Bush's proposal to return education excellence to the nation's schools is undeniably an ambitious plan, although it may be overshadowed by opposition to school vouchers.

Bush wants the states to provide parents with school choice, or vouchers, for adequate public or private schools. He also wants states to establish accountability methods that will help students and increase the percentage of classes in core academic subject areas taught by qualified teachers.

In addition, he aims to give states and local schools access to funds to prepare, recruit and train highly qualified teachers, create safe learning environments for students and partner with institutions of higher education in strengthening K-12 math and science instruction. In addition, schools would be able to receive technology funds without the burden of submitting multiple grant applications under Bush's plan.

Two major education trade groups praised Bush for making education his No. 1 priority, but disagree with the new president over school vouchers.

"For a new president who has pledged to unite the nation and end bitter partisanship, his voucher proposal is sure to divide us," said Bob Chase, president of the 2.6 million-member National Education Association (NEA), based in Washington, D.C.

"Parents and taxpayers know that vouchers have not passed the ultimate test--improving student involvement," Chase said. "Changing the name won't change the result. We must have the political will to dig in and fix failures and support successes."

Vouchers do not provide the necessary resources and do not serve to strengthen the public schools, which educate 90 percent of the nation's children, explained Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which has 1 million members.

Vouchers aside, the AFT is pleased Bush's education agenda includes a strong reading initiative, which includes many features that the organization has long advocated, Feldman said.

The NEA offered the following bipartisan initiatives to the new Bush administration and the 107th Congress: 1) make low-performing schools a priority by providing the extra help they need to meet high standards; 2) promote teacher quality by investing in recruiting and keeping caring, qualified teachers; 3) invest in early childhood education; 4)modernize schools; and 5) fully fund special education programs.

Bush's education proposal mirrors his efforts while governor of Texas to reform that state's education system. Bush accomplished the feat by ending social promotion, creating tough, new accountability standards, empowering local school boards, ensuring that every Texas child read on at least grade level by the end of third grade and creating charter schools.

Bush also closed the achievement gap in Texas schools. A nonpartisan federal report on education cited Texas as the only state that ensures measurement and accountability for the educational results of disadvantaged students. Texas is the first state in improvement on test scores for all students, especially for African American and Hispanic students, the report shows.

Republicans, naturally, applaud Bush's education agenda for the entire county.

"President Bush set forth an ambitious plan to return education excellence to our nation's schools," said House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio).

Democrats aren't as easily convinced as their political counterparts. They are taking a wait-and-see approach on education as well as tax cuts and electoral reform.

With no majority support in the House, Senate and White House in nearly 50 years, Republicans and Democrats are mindful of bipartisanship and the need to work with one another and President Bush.

"In the 107th Congress, we must put politics aside and work together for our kids and their future," Re. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) said.

If early sponsorship of bills is any indication, the 107th Congress has joined Bush in making education one of its top priorities. The following education bills have been introduced in the Senate and House.

Senate:

• Small Business Employment and Education Act of 2001 (S. 183)
• Native Hawaiian Education Reauthorization Act (S. 86)
• Early Education Act of 2001 (S. 157)
• Native American Education Improvement Act of 2001 (S. 211)
• Straight A's Act (S. 167)
• Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2001 (S. 131)
• Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Education Act of 2001 (S. 66)
• Technology for Teachers Act of 2001 (S. 164)
• Quality Teachers for All Act (S. 101)
• Educational Excellence for All Learners Act (S. 7)
• A Million Quality Teachers Act (S. 195)
• Building, Renovating, Improving and Constructing Kids' Schools Act (S. 119)
• Tax Cut With a Purpose Act of 2001 (S. 35)
• To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain loans to Head Start Teachers (S. 123)
• Empowering Parents Act of 2001 (S. 98)
• Direct Graduate Medical Education Improvement Act of 2001 (S. 135)
• The Careers to Classrooms Act of 2001 (S. 40)
• Native American Languages Amendments Act (S. 91)
• To provide for advanced placement programs (S. 103)
• Master Teacher Act of 2001 (S. 120)
• To provide assistance to address school dropout problems (S. 102)
• School Improvement Accountability Act (S. 158)
• Safe Schools Act of 2001 (S. 79)
• Employee Educational Assistance Act (S. 133)
• School children's Health Protection Act (S. 74)
• After School Education and Anti-Crime Act of 2001 (S. 156)

House:

• Character Counts for the 21st Century (H.R. 228)
• Keeping Our Promises to Special Education Act (H.R. 214)
• To promote youth financial education (H.R. 61)
• National Science Education Act (H.R. 100)
• National Science Education Enhancement Act (H.R. 101)
• Higher Education Affordability and Availability Act (H.R. 84)
• National Improvement in Mathematics and Science Training Act of 2001 (H.R. 102)
• Early Detection of Dyslexia in Children Act of 2001 (H.R. 73)
• To require states that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to enact a law that requires the expulsion of students who are convicted of a crime (H.R. 194)
• College Student Credit Card Protection Act (H.R. 184)
• To express the intention of the House of Representatives to fully fund the Federal Pell Grant Program (H.Res. 13)
• Kids Developing Skills for Success in the 21st Century Act (H.R. 59)
• Pell Grant Full Funding Act (H.R. 124)
• Expressing the sense of the Congress that state earnings limitations on retired law enforcement officers to be lifted to enhance school safety (H. Con.Res. 10)
• Educational Empowerment Act (H.R. 221)
• English Plus Resolution (H.Con.Res. 9)

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