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

       FOR RELEASE                                           Contact: David Frank     August 22, 1996                                                (202) 401-3026

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Regarding the Alabama State Board of Education Vote to Participate in Goals 2000

I am pleased to see that Alabama has joined the 48 other states that are using Goals 2000 funds to help raise standards for student achievement. The people of Alabama have spoken and Alabama's leaders have listened.

Since the state board of education has voted today to receive Goals 2000 support, school districts across Alabama will have the opportunity to put into action their blueprints for school improvement that capitalize on educational technology.

In 48 states businesses, communities, parents and school officials can attest to the difference Goals 2000 is making to advance local school improvement. While in Alabama the focus is on using educational technology to improve teaching and learning, other states are using Goals 2000 support for their own priorities. Mississippi is focusing on teacher professional development, Georgia is using their funds to hold public hearings across the state to increase community involvement in developing the state's school improvement plan, Kentucky is focusing on family involvement, and Texas is making reading skills priority #1. That is for each state to decide. I applaud the efforts of Alabama and 48 other states to build Goals 2000 support into local efforts to improve education for every child.

Alabama applied for $1.6 million in fiscal year 1994 and that money is still available for the state to use. In addition, nearly $5.7 million in fiscal year 1996 funds is now available.

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