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

   FOR RELEASE                                 Contact:  David Frank    April 11, 1995                                     (202) 401-3100

Utah is Third with Goals 2000 Reform Plan

Utah has received federal funding for a comprehensive state education improvement plan under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley announced today.

With an approved school improvement plan, Utah becomes the third state eligible to receive second-year Goals 2000 funding and waivers from regulations and statutory requirements that apply to other federal education programs. There are no federal regulations for Goals 2000.

Further, under the U.S. Department of Education's new "EdFlex" initiative, Utah may apply to become one of six demonstration states permitted to waive federal regulatory and statutory requirements from other programs that could impede reform efforts.

"Utah has been involved in education reform efforts to improve teaching and learning for all students for several years," Riley said in accepting the state's plan. "Approval of this state plan recognizes that effort and helps Utah move forward to fulfill the promise of Goals 2000 -- that all children will achieve to challenging standards."

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt said the announcement reaffirms that Utah is a national leader in education reform. "Utah will continue its extensive education reform efforts through innovative programs like Centennial Schools, Technology 2000, and special programs for families and children at risk."

Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction Scott W. Bean praised the Utah Education Strategic Planning Task Force and Associate Superintendent Bruce Griffin in completing the work necessary for the Goals 2000 review process.

"We feel that Utah has an excellent education strategic plan and one that represents the needs of the state of Utah without federal strings attached," Bean said. "This plan represents educational opportunities for the students throughout the state."

The Goals 2000: Educate America Act provides resources to states and communities to develop and implement community- and school-based education reforms aimed at helping students reach challenging academic and occupational skill standards. To date, 45 states have received first-year Goals 2000 funding to develop a reform plan, and an application is pending from Ohio.

Highlights of Utah's state school improvement plan include:

School and community partnerships to support Families and Agencies Coming Together (FACT) and family centers that help with parenting skills and early childhood education.
The Utah Partnership for Educational and Economic Development, a network of more than 7,000 school/business partnerships formed by business, education and state government in order to strengthen education training and research.
Cooperative efforts by postsecondary institutions and schools to improve teacher training and professional development.
Empowerment at the local level through local improvement plans, school-based decision-making, and waivers from state regulations that may impede progress.
Student education plans and student education occupation plans designed by students with the help of parents and counselors.
Integrated and innovative efforts to support technology, including the Technology Enhanced Schools Project, a consortium of five school districts and U.S. West that will plan schools of the future; the Educational Technology Initiative, a project funded by the state to assist public schools and colleges in training on the use of instructional technologies; and a 60-site distance learning system that enables educators to share best practices and professional development activities.
The Centennial Schools Program, which encourages innovations to improve and enhance student learning. Centennial Schools increases parent and teacher involvement by returning decision-making to the local school community. The program also emphasizes the integration of advanced technology into curriculum, instruction and student assessment.
A commitment to reduce class size in those schools where there are large numbers of at-risk children who rarely live in the same school neighborhood throughout the school year, live with only one parent, live in poverty, or have limited English language proficiency.

Utah will receive approximately $2.6 million in fiscal year 1995 Goals 2000 funds to begin implementing the plan. The state received $694,408 in 1994 to develop the plan, with 90 percent of these funds going to support local reform plans.

The Utah plan was reviewed by a review panel of educators from the across the country and was approved by Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Thomas Payzant. Utah joins Oregon and Kentucky in having an approved state plan.

The Education Department also assists states by offering models of good practice and through other programs such as the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, the Improving America's Schools Act and the Safe Schools Act.