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

FOR RELEASE 
January 25, 1995
   
Contact:  Kathryn Kahler
(202) 401-3026

Riley Offers States And Communities New Flexibility

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today offered states and communities unprecedented flexibility in using federal funds to help students reach challenging standards and to make schools safer and more disciplined.,

In a letter to governors and state education officials, Riley described a new federal-state partnership to help states and school districts carry out effective school reform focusing on challenging standards and accountability.

"As former governors, President Clinton and I know firsthand the tremendous energy and effort that states and communities are devoting to improving education for our nation's youngsters," Riley said. "The success of such efforts depends on all of us seeking new ways to improve teaching and learning for all students. For the first time, we can now cut the red tape that wraps so many education programs."

The new flexibility program responds to a longstanding request, Riley said. During a 1989 education summit convened by President Bush, the nation's governors - including President Clinton and Education Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin - asked the federal government to provide more flexibility and accountability.

Riley said the new approach includes provisions of legislation enacted with bipartisan support during the last Congress, such as the Education Flexibility (Ed-Flex) Partnership Demonstration Program, general waivers from federal statutes and regulations under key federal education programs, and a new Charter Schools flexibility provision.

The most dramatic initiative is the Ed-Flex Program, which for the first time will give six states authority to waive federal requirements that can impede local and state efforts to improve their schools.

To be considered for a waiver, states need to:

Riley said the flexibility initiative is also reflected in how the department is implementing the new Goals 2000: Educate America Act. No regulations will be published for the new education reform law, which invites states to submit a four-page application in order to receive first-year federal funds. Riley said 43 states have already received funds to develop their own blueprints for better schools.

In addition to the Ed-Flex provision, the initiative offers general waivers to states, school districts and schools under Goals 2000, the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA), and the School- to-Work Opportunities Act.

To apply for a waiver, applicants are asked to describe how federal requirements impede reform efforts and how without them, quality can be improved. Waivers can be provided under major programs of IASA: Title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Reach High Standards); Title II (Eisenhower Professional Development); Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities); Title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies); and Title VII, Part C (Emergency Immigrant Education), as well as under the Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act.

Under the new waivers, schools will be expected to continue to observe civil rights statutes, as well as health and safety standards.

Finally, a new Charter Schools Demonstration Program will allow states with charter school laws to receive start-up grants under the IASA and to apply for waivers of all federal regulations to maximize flexibility. As the name implies, groups and organizations can apply for a charter to establish and operate a public school, based on state statutes.

Riley said the department will process waiver applications as soon as they are received and is offering assistance to states and communities on a new waiver assistance line at (202) 401-7801, or through the Department's toll-free number, 1-800-USA-LEARN.

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