A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Supporting Local Reform:
Fishermen and University Presidents

The 1995 National Teacher of the Year, Elaine Griffin of Alaska, describes the value of GOALS 2000 for local reform:

GOALS 2000 funding was used to get our grassroots folk involved in the education process. Fishermen and university presidents sat down at the same table and talked about what needs to happen for our students to be successful.

Often, the toughest money for districts to find is for local reform. That's why supporting improvements in schools and classrooms is the ultimate focus of GOALS 2000. Through competitive sub-grants from the state to districts that promote locally developed improvement strategies and innovations, schools receive support to help students reach high standards.

The bulk of GOALS 2000 funds--90 percent after the first year--goes directly from the state to local schools and districts. By awarding funds on a competitive basis, states can place priorities on the awards and target funds to start up or accelerate local improvement initiatives.

GOALS 2000 has provided critical resources for a wide range of local school improvement efforts, including:

• building new local partnerships among schools, parents, businesses, colleges, and communities to improve education;

• upgrading teacher skills, student assessments, curriculum, and instruction to help prepare all students to meet challenging standards; and

• acquiring and implementing educational technology as a tool to improve learning.

[Flexibility: Results, Not Rules]

[What's New in the GOALS 2000 Act]