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

       FOR RELEASE                                Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico     September 18, 1996                                  (202) 401-1576

Rhode Island Receives 3rd Year Goals 2000 Funds

States that participate in Goals 2000 receive funds to help launch and sustain ongoing school improvement efforts to raise student achievement by setting higher standards, involving parents in schools, bringing technology into the classroom, upgrading teacher training, and building partnerships with business and community groups.

Rhode Island is one of 23 states currently receiving third year Goals 2000 grants. Under Goals 2000, states that have education improvement plans in place automatically receive third, fourth and fifth year funding if appropriations are available.

"Rhode Island is using Goals 2000 support to improve the skills and knowledge of teachers," said Riley. "As part of the state's efforts to develop higher standards for teachers, Rhode Island is employing solid strategies, such as intensive, ongoing training for educators, collaboration with colleges and universities, and use of teacher mentors, to upgrade the skills and knowledge of both beginning and experienced teachers. In Cranston, Easy Bay, Newport and Providence, Goals 2000 support is already helping infuse technology into teacher training, develop intensive long term professional development programs and forming community partnerships to improve teachers' skills."

The grant announced today is being made from the fiscal year 1996 appropriations. President Clinton has requested $476 million for Goals 2000 for fiscal year 1997, which would provide approximately $1,902,901 in additional funds for Rhode Island. If appropriated, these funds will be available July 1, 1997. For 1997, the House of Representatives has voted to cut the president's education budget request by $2.8 billion and eliminate all fourth year funding for Goals 2000. The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to provide $340 million -- $136 million below the president's request.

Riley said failing to provide funds would seriously undermine community and state efforts to implement improvements aimed at ensuring that students learn to high standards. "At a time when this initiative is supporting better education in more communities than ever before, the House has tragically walked away from this critically important effort to raise student achievement in the core academic subjects," Riley said.

Goals 2000 provides resources for local and state education improvements, with flexibility in how states and communities choose to develop and implement their improvement efforts. Riley said the absence of regulations provides states with the latitude to effectively implement their locally designed school improvement initiatives. Schools and local school districts use Goals 2000 funds for a wide range of school improvement activities that reinforce local approaches to helping all students learn the basics and the core subjects.

Rhode Island's first and second year Goals 2000 grants totaled $1,922,905.

States receiving third year funding to date under Goals 2000 include Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

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