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

   FOR RELEASE:  9:30 a.m.                  Contact:  Kathryn Kahler    November 9, 1995                                   (202) 401-3026

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Regarding the 1995 Report of the National Education Goals Panel

The 1995 National Education Goals Panel report shows that America has made modest progress in education, but that's not good enough for me, and it shouldn't be good enough for the American people. If we're serious about preparing every child for success and good citizenship in the 21st century, we're going to have to redouble our efforts.

The good news in the report is that we have made progress in those areas where we have raised standards, worked to get families more involved, and concentrated our efforts. This includes math and science achievement, family-child reading, and infant health. This proves that when we roll up our sleeves and work hard, we can achieve real results.

I am also pleased that the number of threats and injuries to students in school have declined. But I cannot rest easy knowing that drug use among students is up and teachers are reporting more acts of violence and more disruptions. That is why the President fought for and won passage of the Gun Free Schools Act, which calls for the expulsion of students who bring guns to school. And that is why we must continue to make wise investments in better education, such as Safe and Drug-Free Schools programs.

We have also worked hard to develop our Family Involvement Partnership for Learning, which encourages greater parental involvement in education. By emphasizing family-school-community partnerships, the Panel is focusing on one of the most important areas in the drive to improve education.

When we began the National Education Goals process five years ago, we never promised the American people a rose garden. We never said making education better would be easy. The past five years have been a slow, tough, uphill climb. We need every American now to get behind our schools and push.