Archived: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley On Congressional Budget Action

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

House Appropriation Falls $2.9 Billion Below President?s Request for Education -- President Clinton?s FY 2001 Education Budget Proposal Compared to House Committee Allowances (May 10, 2000)

President Cinton?s FY 2001 Education Budget Proposal Compared to Senate Committee Allowances (May 10, 2000)

FOR RELEASE
May 11, 2000

Contact:
Erica Lepping
(202) 401-3383

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley
On Congressional Budget Action

There is no question that Americans want quality schools for our children today, not tomorrow. Yet, the majority in Congress seems not to recognize this reality. This week, the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees passed bills that unfortunately do little to allow or encourage real progress for students, teachers and schools, and in the case of the House bill, actually turn back the clock on education reform.

The House has ignored valuable research on successful approaches to help students learn and turn around low-performing schools. Not only does the House bill deny states and communities some $2.9 billion in critically needed funds for education, it further jeopardizes ongoing efforts proven to work. The President has proposed targeted increases so that reforms can reach more children. But the House bill provides no additional support so that 2.9 million more children can have smaller class sizes, no support to modernize outdated and crumbling school buildings, no services for 1.6 million more children to attend safe after-school programs, no services to help nearly 650,000 more disadvantaged students go on to college and no support for strengthening accountability and turning around low-performing schools.

The House bill also fails to provide a serious response to the urgent need we face to put 2.2 million qualified teachers in our classrooms. It totally ignored the President's proposed $1 billion in targeted investments to improve teacher quality. This silence is not only deafening, but disrespectful to quality teachers like the new National Teacher of the Year, Dr. Marilyn Whirry, recognized today by President Clinton.

The Senate Subcommittee was without doubt more responsible in its level of funding for education. But the Senate approach won't bring about the changes Americans want in their children's schools. Because the Senate block grants rather than targets funds to reforms proven to increase student achievement like better teachers and lower student-teacher ratios, taxpayers receive no accountability.

I urge the House and Senate to closely examine the successful work of many states and districts using federal support to improve the quality of schools, and the President's thoughtful proposals that build on this foundation. I hope Congress will help us make the kinds of investments that will lead to real reforms in American education.

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