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

       FOR RELEASE                         Contact:  David Thomas (202- 401-1576     October 17, 1996                    Melinda Kitchell Malico (202) 401-1576

Arkansas 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.

Arkansas is one of 27 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.

"Arkansas is using its third year of Goals 2000 support to advance the state's "Creating Opportunities for Excellence" school improvement plan -- designed to raise academic standards and improve teaching and learning," Riley said. "School districts across the state are already benefiting from more than $3.8 million in Goals 2000 support. In each of the state's 311 school districts, teachers and administrators are immersed in professional development, a cornerstone of the state's school improvement strategy

"The Mills Educational Cooperative, for instance, offers long term, continuous professional development for teachers in both subject matter knowledge and teaching skills through a partnership of 16 school districts and Harding University. Goals 2000 is providing valuable school improvement support throughout Arkansas."

The grant announced today is being made from the fiscal year 1996 appropriations. For FY97, President Clinton requested $476 million for Goals 2000 state and local grants, a 40 percent increase over 1996. Congress appropriated that amount, which will be available beginning July 1, 1997.

Goals 2000 provides resources for local and state education improvements, with flexibility in how states and communities choose to develop and implement local strategies for helping all students learn the basics and advanced skills. Riley said the absence of regulations provides states with the latitude to effectively implement their locally designed school improvement initiatives.

Arkansas' first and second year Goals 2000 grants totaled $4,690,010.

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

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