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Friday, July 31, 2015
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Domestic Policy Council
Spellings, Margaret LaMontagne - Subject Files
Location or
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W
8
23
10
3
2593
15528
4149
4315
Folder Title:
SOTU: Fact Sheets 2004
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SUBJECT/TITLE
PAGES
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001
Report
Progress on 2004 State of the Union Domestic Initiatives
4
07/23/2004 P5;
002
Handwritten Note [Contact Information]
1
N.D.
P6/b6;
COLLECTION TITLE:
Domestic Policy Council
SERIES:
Spellings, Margaret LaMontagne - Subject Files
FOLDER TITLE:
SOTU: Fact Sheets 2004
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2593
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SOTU: Fact Sheets 2004
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by erl
FINAL
HELPING TEENS AND PARENTS MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS
Presidential Action
President Bush announced a new initiative to educate teens and parents about the health risks associated
with early sexual activity and to provide the tools needed to help teens make responsible choices.
In support of this new initiative, the President announced that his Fiscal Year 2005 budget would double the
funding for abstinence education delivered in schools and community based settings - from $135 million to
more than $270 million. President Bush also directed the Department of Health and Human Services to
develop scientifically-based standards for abstinence education curricula, and he called for a review of all
federal programming for youth addressing teen pregnancy prevention, family planning, STD and HIV/AIDs
prevention to ensure that the federal government is sending consistent health messages to teens. Finally,
President Bush will launch a public education campaign designed to help parents communicate with their
children about the risks associated with early sexual activity.
Background
Although teen pregnancy rates have been in decline since the early 1990's, there are more than 850,000 teen
pregnancies a year. At this level, the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy of any industrialized
nation.
In addition, each year there are 15 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United
States, and at least 3 million cases affect teenagers. That means 41,000 cases a day, or 10,000 teens who
become infected each and every day. According an Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences) study,
overall costs of STDs - excluding HIV/AIDs - exceed $10 billion a year.
A survey conducted by the Girl Scouts of the United States revealed that 8-12 year old girls want to stay in school,
aspire to attend college, have careers, healthy marriages, and families. However, when teens become pregnant
or develop an STD, these hopes and dreams can be shattered. Teen mothers are less likely to complete school
and more likely to be single parents. And developing an STD can cause lifelong health complications including
infertility.
Parents and teens need tools to be able to communicate with each other about these very important issues.
According to a recent survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, teens are looking for
information and guidance from their parents to help them postpone sexual activity. Teens say that parents
influence their decisions about sex more than friends and other sources. According to the same survey, parents
underestimate their own influence and mistakenly believe that teens' friends are the most influential. In fact, most
of the teens surveyed believed that it would be easier for teens to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen
pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
The Fiscal Year 2005 budget would double the funding for abstinence education in school and community
based settings - from $135 million to more than $270 million. This money will fund existing programs that
are effective
Community-Based Abstinence Education Program
State-based Abstinence Education Grants (Section 510 of the Social Security Act)
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov
1-16-04
The Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Program, and
A new effort through the Department of Health and Human Services:
Developing scientifically-based standards for abstinence education curricula.
Reviewing within six months all federal programming for youth addressing teen
pregnancy prevention, family planning, STD and HIV/AIDs prevention to ensure that the
federal government is sending consistent messages to teens.
Launching a public education campaign designed to help parents communicate with their
children about the risks associated with early sexual activity.
)
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov
1-16-04
FINAL
New Initiatives in President Bush's State of the Union Address
January 20, 2004
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush called on our Nation to complete the work begun during
the last three years and to face the future with confidence and strength. To address America's most
pressing needs, the President announced new initiatives to strengthen economic growth, further reform
education and job training, address the rising cost of health care, and make America a more
compassionate Nation.
Jobs for the 21st Century
America's growing economy is also a changing economy, and President Bush wants to help
Americans gain the skills needed to prosper in our new economy. President Bush announced Jobs
for the 21st Century - more than $500 million for a series of measures to better prepare current and
future workers for jobs in the new millennium.
President Bush wants to help current workers get the training and skills they need to secure jobs in
high-growth industries. He also wants to help better prepare high school students to enter higher
education or the workforce. This initiative is especially important at a time when 80% of the
fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. require higher education and many require math and science skills.
The President's Jobs for the 21st Century initiative would expand support through
America's community colleges to help them train workers for the industries that are
creating the most new jobs. It includes a $250 million proposal to fund partnerships
between community colleges and employers in high-demand job sectors, based on
successful pilot programs launched by President Bush in 2001 and 2002.
President Bush's plan will improve the quality of education at our Nation's middle and high
schools and better prepare students for success in higher education and the job market -
including $100 million to help striving readers and $120 million to improve math education.
The President's plan expands Advanced Placement programs in low-income schools and
invites professionals with private-sector math and science experience to teach part-time in
our high schools. As an incentive for students to take more demanding high school
courses, it would provide larger grants for college under the Pell Grant program.
Making Health Care More Affordable
The rapidly rising cost of health care is the main reason why millions of Americans lack health
insurance today. To make insurance more affordable, the President proposed measures to
address rising healthcare costs and help more Americans afford insurance.
Tax-Free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): As part of the Medicare prescription drug bill that
President Bush signed into law last month, workers will now be able to take advantage of HSAs -
fully portable, tax-free savings accounts that can be used to pay for medical expenses incurred by
individuals, spouses, or dependents. Contributions to HSAs by individuals are deductible, even if
the taxpayer does not itemize, and contributions by an employer are not included in the individual's
taxable income.
White House Office of Communications
1/20/2004
Tax-free Insurance Premiums for HSAs: President Bush proposed that individuals who buy
catastrophic health care coverage as part of their new Health Savings Accounts, be allowed to
deduct 100% of the premium from their taxes. This new deduction of health insurance premiums,
which will be available to taxpayers whether or not they itemize, will make health coverage more
affordable for millions of Americans who do not get coverage through their workplace.
The President also called on Congress to establish refundable tax credits of up to $1,000 for
individuals and $3,000 for families to help low-income workers buy health insurance coverage.
The President called for Congress to pass Association Health Plans to enable small businesses to
provide health coverage to more workers by allowing them to band together and negotiate lower
insurance rates.
President Bush proposed to double the budget to $100 million for demonstration projects related to
health information technology, which will save lives and help to reduce costs.
Doubling Our Efforts to Expand Democracy
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was established by Congress during the Reagan
Administration to expand democracy throughout the world. Governed by an independent,
nonpartisan board of directors, the NED makes hundreds of grants each year to support pro-
democracy groups in dozens of countries. The NED works in part through direct grants to NGOs
and civil society groups fighting for democracy, human rights, religious tolerance, freedom of the
press, and free elections. Last year, the NED budget totaled $39.6 million. The President called
for doubling the NED budget, allocating the additional $40 million to programs in the Middle East.
Helping Young Americans Make Healthy Decisions
Addressing the National Challenge of Teen Substance Abuse: Approximately 1.4 million American
teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 are in need of drug treatment, according to research done by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Data also show that, if a
child does not start using drugs in his or her teen years, he or she is much less likely to develop a
substance abuse problem later.
In his State of the Union address, President Bush announced a new initiative to help young Americans
avoid being ensnared by addiction. His budget for FY 2005 will include $25 million-a $23 million
increase-for student drug testing program grants, extending the benefits of early intervention
programs that have been proven in government, military, education, transportation, and private-sector
workplaces. The President's anti-drug policies are working - just last month, a leading national survey
found that 400,000 fewer drug users among 8th, 10ᵗʰ, and 12th graders. This represents an 11% decline
in drug use among these age groups, ahead of the President's two-year goal of 10%.
Encouraging Role Models to Set a Good Example for Young Athletes: President Bush called on
America's major sports leagues and athletes to end the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Their
use by even a minority of elite athletes sets a dangerous example for the millions of young Americans,
encouraging young people to take dangerous risks with their health and safety.
White House Office of Communications
1/20/2004
The President will ask these leagues and athletes to implement stringent drug policies to set a healthier
and more positive example for America's young people. These policies will also protect the integrity of
their sports and ensure the health and well-being of athletes.
Expanding Support for Teen Abstinence Promotion: Each year, three million American teenagers
contract sexually transmitted diseases, causing emotional harm and serious health consequences,
even death. President Bush announced a new initiative to educate teens and parents about the health
risks associated with early sexual activity and provide the tools needed to help teens make responsible
choices. The President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget would increase the funding for abstinence education
programs to more than $270 million. President Bush also directed the Department of Health and
Human Services to develop research-based standards for model abstinence education curricula, and
he called for a review of all Federal programming for youth addressing teen pregnancy prevention,
family planning, and STD and HIV/AIDS prevention to ensure that the Federal government is sending
the right messages to teens. He also announced a public education campaign designed to help
parents communicate with their children about the health risks associated with early sexual activity.
Empowering Faith-Based and Community Charities to Help Those in Need
Many faith-based organizations that have been effective in serving the poor have faced discrimination
in their efforts to partner with the Federal government. The regulatory reforms instituted by President
Bush in December, 2002 have remedied many of these problems, but should be protected by statute.
President Bush announced his intent to seek legislation to put into law the principle of equal treatment
for faith-based organizations in the Federal grants process and end discrimination against these
charities. This legislation would ensure that more Americans in need would be able to get vital social
services from the country's most effective charities, whether secular or faith-based organizations.
Protecting Communities by Reducing Recidivism Among Returning Inmates
Some 600,000 prisoners who have completed their prison sentences will be released this year.
Unfortunately, many of them will return to prison after committing another crime - causing additional
costs to themselves and society. To reduce the number of these prisoners committing new crimes,
President Bush proposed a plan to harness the resources and experience of faith-based and
community organizations in dealing with the challenges of helping returning inmates contribute to
society.
Through a collaboration with faith-based and community organizations and the Department of Labor
(DOL), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Justice
(DOJ), the initiative would address three key requirements for successful re-entry of those who have
paid their debt to society - mentoring, transitional housing, and basic job training and placement. The
President's FY 2005 budget will provide funding for the first year of this four-year, $300 million initiative.
White House Office of Communications
1/20/2004
FINAL
The State of the Union
January 20, 2004
In his State of the Union address, President Bush discussed the serious challenges facing our Nation and the steps we
must take to make America a more secure, more prosperous, and more hopeful country. The President recognized that,
over the last three years, America has come together to overcome great challenges, and he underscored his faith and
confidence in the American people and our Nation's future. Now the choice is clear - - to move forward on the path to
freedom and prosperity, or to turn back.
President Bush laid out ambitious goals for the future, behind which all Americans can unite, and urged the Nation to move
forward with the work that still needs to be done this year:
1. Making America Safer with Decisive Action to Win the War on Terror
2. Keeping America on Track for a More Prosperous Future
3. Strengthening Health Care for Millions of Americans
4. Building a Better and More Compassionate America for All
Making America Safer with Decisive Action to Win the War on Terror
America is safer today because of the decisive action and leadership of President Bush. Although there has not been a
successful attack on our homeland in 28 months, the President will not allow the nation to return to a sense of false security
and complacency. He called for continued action at home and abroad to defeat the terrorists and pursuit of a forward
strategy of freedom to promote democracy throughout the Middle East.
America continues to wage a relentless campaign against terrorists who threaten our country. In this war, America
is taking the offensive - denying terrorists refuge; identifying, blocking, and seizing their finances; and holding
terrorists and their sponsors to account. We have captured almost two-thirds of the known Al-Qaida leaders,
including the mastermind of the September 11 attacks.
Afghanistan, once ruled by the brutal Taliban regime that sheltered Al-Qaida, has adopted a new
constitution and is following the path of democracy, including providing fundamental rights to women.
Libya has now pledged to disclose and dismantle all of its weapons of mass destruction programs.
In Iraq, Saddam Hussein has been overthrown and captured, and the enemies of freedom are being
systematically routed from their hiding places and rounded up. Iraqis are assuming greater responsibility
for their own security and future government, and America and more than 30 nations are helping the Iraqi
people make the transition to full sovereignty by the end of June. Although it is hard work, we will stand by
them as they complete the transition to democracy.
The President called on Congress to renew the USA PATRIOT Act, which provides law enforcement officials with
essential tools needed to track down terrorists. The USA PATRIOT Act allows investigators and prosecutors to use
laws originally designed to prosecute embezzlers and drug traffickers to bring international terrorists to justice -
enabling Federal law enforcement to better share information, track terrorists, disrupt their cells, and seize their
assets.
The President recognizes that different threats require different strategies. He is working with other nations to
ensure that North Korea and Iran abandon their nuclear ambitions and join the world community in preventing the
spread of dangerous weapons.
America's actions will result in the spread of democracy in the Middle East - an important step that will provide an
alternative to terror and violence. To further encourage the progress of democracy, President Bush is calling for a
doubling of support for the National Endowment for Democracy, and focusing its new work on the development of
free elections, free markets, free press, and free labor unions in the Middle East.
Keeping America on Track for a More Prosperous Future
The last three years have revealed the fundamental strengths of America's economy. Despite the unprecedented economic
shocks of recession, the September 11 attacks, corporate scandals, and war, America's economy is on track for recovery
and sustained job creation.
The tax relief proposed and signed into law by President Bush was the right action at the right time for our
economy. This tax relief doubled the child tax credit; reduced the marriage penalty; phased out the death tax;
lowered taxes on capital gains, stock dividends, and small businesses to create incentives for job creation; and
lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.
The results of this decisive action are clear. Economic growth in the 3rd quarter of 2003 and new home construction
were the highest in almost 20 years; homeownership levels are at historic highs; manufacturing activity is
increasing; inflation and interest rates are low; and a quarter million jobs were created in the last half of 2003.
President Bush called on Congress to secure these positive economic trends for the future by making the tax relief
permanent - SO families and businesses can plan and invest with confidence.
Helping Americans Access High-Demand Jobs: America's economy is growing, but it is also changing due to higher
productivity and new technology. It is more important than ever that Americans have the education and training needed to
succeed. The No Child Left Behind Act is bringing important reforms to America's schools by insisting on standards and
accountability for results. There are substantial resources available to implement these reforms, and President Bush will
fight any effort to undo them.
Many older students and current workers will also need to strengthen their skills to compete for the jobs of
tomorrow. President Bush proposed more than $500 million for a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st
Century - designed to provide extra help to middle and high school students who fall behind in reading and math,
expand Advanced Placement programs in low-income schools, and invite math and science professionals from the
private sector to teach part-time in high schools.
The President's Jobs for the 21st Century initiative also increases support for America's community colleges to train
workers for the industries that are creating the most new jobs. The initiative will also provide larger Pell Grants for
low-income students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school.
Sustaining Economic Growth: To help sustain America's economic recovery, President Bush called on Congress to
protect employers from junk lawsuits, ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy, and give younger workers an
opportunity to set aside a portion of their Social Security taxes in personal retirement accounts. He also called for a
reduction in burdensome and needless Federal regulations on employers. He also underscored his commitment to fiscal
responsibility by announcing that his FY 2005 budget will hold discretionary spending growth to less than 4%, keeping
America on track to cut the deficit in half in five years. And, he asked Congress to reform our immigration laws to reflect
America's values while benefiting our economy.
Strengthening Health Care for Millions of Americans: President Bush urged Congress to extend the benefits of modern
medicine throughout our country and take action to help control the rising costs of medical care and give more Americans
access to health insurance.
Strengthening Medicare: Just last month, President Bush signed legislation to strengthen Medicare and add a
prescription drug benefit, keeping a commitment to seniors to help them afford the medicines they need.
Starting this year, seniors can choose to receive a drug discount card that will save 10-25% off the retail price of
most prescription drugs - and millions of low-income seniors can get an additional $600 to buy medicine.
Beginning next year, seniors will have new coverage for preventive screenings against diabetes and heart disease,
and seniors just entering Medicare can receive wellness exams.
In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription coverage under Medicare. For a modest monthly premium, most
seniors who do not have prescription drug coverage could see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Seniors will be
able to keep Medicare just as it is today, or choose the Medicare plan that fits them best - similar to the health care
choices offered to Members of Congress.
President Bush will veto any effort to take this prescription drug coverage away from seniors or limit their choices.
Increasing Health Care Affordability and Coverage: President Bush is concerned about the rising cost of health care
and helping Americans to afford health care coverage that best meets their needs. The President rejects the notion of a
government-run health care system as some have proposed. He outlined a series of steps for making health insurance
more affordable and accessible, including:
Enabling small businesses to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, covering more workers with
health insurance, through Association Health Plans.
Giving lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit SO millions can buy their own basic health insurance
coverage.
Computerizing health records to reduce costs, improve care, and lower the risk of medical mistakes.
Eliminating frivolous medical lawsuits that damage the doctor-patient relationship and keep good doctors from doing
their good work.
Allowing individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage as part of their new Health Savings Accounts to
deduct 100% of the premium from their taxes.
Building a Better and More Compassionate America for All
During this time of great change in our nation, the President spoke to the importance of preserving the timeless
values and vital institutions that continue to make America strong-like families, schools, and religious
congregations.
The President proposed several new steps to help young Americans make responsible choices.
Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the past two years, and 400,000 fewer young
people are using illegal drugs than in 2001. The President's FY 05 budget will include new funding to
continue our aggressive, community-based strategy to reduce demand for illegal drugs - as well as an
increase of $23 million for schools that want to use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives.
To ensure that role models do not send the wrong message about substance abuse to millions of American
children, the President called on America's professional sports leagues and their unions to take decisive
action to address the problem of performance-enhancing drugs.
At a time when 3 million American teenagers contract sexually transmitted diseases each year, the
President proposes a new grassroots health campaign to inform teens and parents of the risks - and a
doubling of Federal funding for abstinence education programs.
Defending the Sanctity of Marriage: The President emphasized his belief that marriage is between a man and a
woman, and he called for a defense of the sanctity of marriage against activist judges who are attempting to
redefine marriage by court order without listening to the voices of the people or their elected representatives. He
will stand behind the Defense of Marriage Act and called for a civil dialogue on this important issue.
Faith- and Community-Based Groups: The President is fully committed to empowering more of America's faith-
and community-based charities to address some of our toughest social problems and help those most in need. He
proposes to codify the executive order he signed that ends Federal discrimination against these groups. And he
announced a new plan to bring local and faith-based groups together with Federal agencies to help recently
released prisoners make a successful transition back to society reducing the chance that they will be arrested
again. This 4-year, $300 million initiative will provide transitional housing, basic job training, and mentoring.
President Bush described the state of our Union as confident and strong and urged all Americans to move forward and
complete the important work ahead.
White House Office of Communications
FINAL
Jobs for the 21st Century
Presidential Action:
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced Jobs for the 21st Century - a comprehensive plan
to better prepare workers for jobs in the new millennium by strengthening post-secondary education and job
training and improving high school education. This plan includes over $500 million in new funding for education
and job training programs.
Strengthening Access to Post-Secondary Education and Job Training: The President's plan will
expand opportunities for workers to access post-secondary education to get the job training and skills to
compete in a changing and dynamic economy and fill jobs in emerging industries - including $250
million to fund partnerships between community colleges and employers in high-demand job sectors,
and $33 million for expanded Pell Grants for low-income students who complete rigorous coursework in
high school.
Improving High School Education: The President's plan will also improve the quality of education at
our Nation's high schools and better prepare students for success in higher education and the job
market - including $100 million to help striving readers and $120 million to improve math education.
Higher Education
Background: Post-secondary education and training has become an essential requirement for a steadily increasing
percentage of jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 80% of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States
require some sort of higher education after high school, and many of these jobs require a strong foundation in math and
science. Because they are so adaptable and accessible, community colleges are increasingly critical providers of job
training, both for degree-seekers and for workers seeking to retool, refine, and broaden their skills.
The Challenge: High school graduates are not entering college and the workforce with the skills they need to compete in
a changing economy. A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 42% of entering
freshmen at public two-year colleges and 20% of entering freshmen at four-year public institutions enrolled in at least
one remedial course in 2000. Research from the U.S. Department of Education also shows that there is a strong link
between the courses completed in high school and the completion of a post-secondary degree.
President Bush's Plan: President Bush wants to expand access to post-secondary education for low-income students,
and he wants to foster a new generation of job training partnerships between community colleges and the employers in
industries with the most demand for skilled workers. His plan includes:
Community-based Job Training Grants Building on the successes of the President's High-Growth Job Training
Initiative, a strategic approach that has provided seed money to fund job training partnerships between
community colleges and local high-growth industries, the President proposes $250 million in 2005 to strengthen
the role of community colleges in workforce development. These new competitive Community-based Job
Training grants would be used for training in community and technical colleges that are linked with local
employers looking for more skilled workers.
Enhanced Pell Grants The Bush Administration proposes to establish a $33 million program to enhance Pell
Grants to reward low-income students who participate in the State Scholars Program by taking a rigorous high
school curriculum. This program would provide up to an additional $1,000 per year to students in the first two
years of college who complete the rigorous State Scholars curriculum in high school, enroll in college full time,
and are Pell Grant recipients. Next year, approximately 36,000 low-income graduating high school seniors
would be eligible to receive an enhanced Pell Grant under this proposal.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov
1/21/04
High School Initiatives
Background: The No Child Left Behind Act is providing accountability and resources to improve the achievement of
America's elementary and secondary students. These reforms are already beginning to show results in elementary
reading and math scores, but President Bush also wants to ensure that all high school students will be better prepared to
enter higher education or the workforce. Unfortunately, recent results from the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) demonstrate that, while achievement for our Nation's fourth- and eighth-graders is on the rise, scores
for twelfth graders have declined in both reading and mathematics.
Reading
The Challenge: Many struggling students are at risk of dropping out of school in part because of deficient reading skills.
A 2002 study done by researchers at Johns Hopkins University estimates almost one-third of entering ninth-grade
students need additional help in reading. In high-poverty high schools, this problem can be even worse, with some
studies showing students entering high school three or more grade levels behind in reading. A 1999 study by Andrew
Sum of Northeastern University confirms that literacy is highly correlated with the probability of ever earning a high
school diploma, the probability of ever earning a higher education degree, and with future earnings.
The President's Plan: The Administration is proposing a new $100 million Striving Readers Initiative that would make
competitive grants to develop, implement, and evaluate effective reading interventions for middle or high school students
reading significantly below grade level. This program would complement the Reading First State Grants program, which
provides comprehensive reading instruction for children in kindergarten through third grade that is grounded in
scientifically based reading research. The proposal would provide funds to approximately 50 to 100 school districts for
reading intervention programs to help middle and high school students catch up to their peers in reading.
Math
The Challenge: Research indicates many students who drop out of school lack basic skills in mathematics. A 2002
study done by researchers at Johns Hopkins found that "[i]n almost every State, there is at least a 35 percent difference
between the percent of white eighth graders and the percent of eighth graders in the State's largest minority groups
scoring at the basic level in mathematics on the NAEP test." Further, a 2001 study of Third International Mathematics
and Science Study (TIMSS) data revealed that 40 percent of the Nation's 13-year olds fail to perform as well as the
average student worldwide in mathematics. Many jobs of the future, however, require a strong background in math and
science.
The President's Plan: The Administration is proposing a $120 million increase for the Mathematics and Science
Partnership program authorized in the No Child Left Behind Act. The increase would support direct Federal competitive
grants to partnerships to increase achievement in mathematics for secondary students. The new 3-year competitive
grants would support projects that have significant potential to accelerate the mathematics achievement of all secondary
students, but especially low-achieving students. The initiative would focus on ensuring that States and school districts
implement professional development projects for mathematics teachers that are strongly grounded in research and that
help mathematics teachers to strengthen their skills.
Advanced Placement
The Challenge: Low-income students who participate in Advanced Placement (AP) programs, which give students the
opportunity to take college-level courses in high school, are much more likely to enroll and be successful in college than
their peers. While enrollment in AP courses has nearly tripled over the past decade, studies show that minority students
participate in AP classes and tests at rates far below those of non-minority students, since many students from low-
income families attend schools that do not offer AP classes.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov
1/21/04
President Bush's Plan: Advanced Placement programs not only encourage the growth of Advanced Placement (AP) and
International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, but also serve as a mechanism for upgrading the entire high school curriculum
for all students. The Administration is proposing a $28 million increase for the Advanced Placement program authorized
in the No Child Left Behind Act bringing spending on it to nearly $52 million a year. The increase in funds will ensure
that teachers in low-income schools are well-trained to teach AP and IB courses. This program has two components:
Advanced Placement Test Fee and Advanced Placement Incentive grants. The purpose of both programs is to support
State and local efforts to increase access to advanced placement classes and tests for students in low-income schools,
as well as other programs with challenging curricular and end-of-course examinations such as the International
Baccalaureate program.
Adjunct Teacher Corps
The Challenge: Job growth is expected to occur in occupations requiring a strong foundation in math and science.
According to the Department of Education's 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey, 52 percent of middle school and 15
percent of high school mathematics teachers did not have a major or minor in mathematics and 40 percent of middle
school and 11 percent of high school science teachers did not have a major or minor in science.
President Bush's Plan: Many school districts need opportunities and the personnel to strengthen instruction in middle
and high schools in the core academic subjects, especially mathematics and science. The Adjunct Teacher Corps
would help alleviate this critical situation by bringing professionals with subject-matter knowledge and experience into
the classroom. The Administration is proposing a new $40 million initiative to provide competitive grants to partnerships
of school districts and public or private institutions to create opportunities for professionals to teach middle and high
school courses in the core academic subjects, particularly in mathematics and science.
Grants would be used to: (1) identify, as adjunct teachers, well-qualified individuals outside of the K-12.
educational system, including outstanding individuals at the height of their careers in business, government, and
institutions of higher learning; and (2) facilitate arrangements for these individuals to function in this capacity, for
example, by teaching one or more courses at a school site on a part-time basis, teaching full-time in middle and
high schools while on leave from their jobs, or teaching courses that would be available online or through other
distance-learning arrangements. The proposal would provide for approximately 60 to 100 awards for
partnerships to create and implement arrangements for using well-qualified individuals as teachers on an
adjunct basis as is done in our institutions of higher education.
State Scholars
The Challenge: Students are not entering college with the skills necessary to succeed in and complete a post-
secondary education. According to a recent study by the Manhattan Institute, 70% of all students in public high schools
graduate, but only 32% of all students leave high school academically prepared to attend college. College readiness for
minority students is even lower: 51% of all black students graduate, but only 20% leave high school college-ready; and
52% of all Hispanic students graduate, but only 16% leave high school college-ready.
President Bush's Plan: The Administration proposes $12 million in funding for the State Scholars program to make
grants available nationwide. In August 2002, President Bush announced the State Scholars Initiative, modeled on the
successful Texas Scholars program, to encourage high school students to take more rigorous high school courses.
Under the State Scholars Initiative, 12 States have already received assistance in developing and promoting strong
courses of study, as well as providing special incentives for students enrolled in these programs.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov
1/21/04
FINAL
Student Drug Testing: A Public Health Approach to
Preventing Teen Drug Use
Presidential Action:
In his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush announced a major funding expansion to help more
young Americans avoid the trap of addiction. His budget for FY 2005 will include $25 million for student drug
testing grants, extending the benefits of early intervention programs that have been proven in government,
military, education, transportation, and private sector workplaces. Student drug testing is part of a balanced
strategy that places appropriate emphasis on treatment, community action, prevention, and law enforcement.
Background:
The disease of addiction is an especially dangerous threat to America's young people and needs a strong public
health response. Research shows that the earlier a child starts using drugs, the more likely he or she will be to
develop a substance abuse problem. Conversely, if a child does not start using drugs in their teen years, he or
she is much less likely to initiate or develop a substance abuse problem later in life. Data shows that 1.4 million
American teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 are in need of drug treatment.
Casual drug users help to spread the disease of addiction. In a school environment, increases in the number of
casual drug users mulitply the number of students at risk for addiction. Drug use interferes with a student's ability
to learn. It also disrupts the orderly environment necessary for all students to succeed. Middle and high school
students who use drugs are more likely to do poorly in school, cut classes or drop out, and commit crimes.
Reducing the likelihood of these disruptive behaviors benefits everyone.
Student Drug Testing as Part of the Solution:
The President's 2005 budget request will include $25 million for school districts that would like to start or
expand drug testing programs through the Department of Education's Student Drug Testing Demonstration
Grants. Schools must evaluate the effectiveness of their programs as a provision of receiving a grant.
Drug testing has been shown to be effective in preventing student drug use. The expectation that they may
be randomly tested is enough to make some students stop using drugs-or never start.
Medical science understands that substance abuse is a disease of the brain that requires a public health
approach. Just as students need to be inoculated for polio or tested for tuberculosis, drug testing helps
prevent another harmful disease from spreading through our nation's schools.
Drug testing should be one part of a broad prevention program that also includes intervention and treatment.
Communities must decide for themselves whether drug testing is right for their situation; many communities
that have adopted it have achieved impressive reductions in drug use. The Federal government is not
mandating student drug testing.
Drug testing creates a culture of disapproval toward drugs. Children know that the adults in their school and
community expect them to remain drug-free. In an environment of relentless peer pressure, drug testing
gives students a definitive reason to say no and provides the armor they may need to justify their decision.
The purpose of drug testing is not to punish students who use drugs, but to help those in trouble by
preventing drug use and helping drug-using students become drug-free in a confidential manner. The results
of a positive drug test should be used to intervene with not-yet-dependent students and get drug-dependent
students into effective treatment. After assessing the extent of the problem, parents and administrators can
recommend further prevention activities such as education on the negative effects of drugs, counseling, or if
necessary, drug treatment.
Based on a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Pottawatomie County V. Earls, schools are able to test
students in voluntary programs such as competitive extra-curricular activities without violating the U.S.
Constitution. The Court has ruled that student drug testing must be done confidentially.
FINAL
Drug Use and Professional Sports:
Restoring Health, Integrity, and Responsibility
Presidential Action:
In his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush called on America's athletes and major sports
leagues to end the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The use of drugs and illicit drugs by elite athletes
sets a dangerous example for the millions of young Americans, encouraging young people to take
dangerous risks with their health and safety. Drug use also damages the credibility of American athletics.
The President asked players, unions, coaches, and the leagues to work together to implement more
stringent drug policies, including effective testing programs. The goal must be to set a healthier and more
positive example for America's young people, as well as protect the integrity of their sports, and ensure the
health and well-being of their athletes.
Background:
Sports play an important role in the physical and mental development of young people, and provide young
people with valuable lessons about teamwork, goal-setting and the value of hard work. Doping and illicit
drug use directly undermine these benefits. Drug-using athletes make poor role models for America's
children and undermine coaches' and parents' efforts to protect the health and safety of young people by
warning them of the dangers of using steroids and illegal drugs,
Easily evaded and ineffective testing and monitoring programs in professional sports create a double
standard in society that exempts athletes from the rules by which other citizens are expected to abide.
These flawed policies endanger the health and safety of professional athletes and ignore the responsibility
these athletes have as role models for the millions of young people who look up to them.
The integrity of our Nation's great sports institutions is being damaged by pervasive performance-
enhancing and illicit drug use. Fans resent the legacies of their sporting heroes being diminished by those
with superior chemists rather than superior talent.
Substance use has become so normalized in professional sports that when 5 to 7 percent of Major League
Baseball players-the equivalent of two full teams-tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs after
anonymous, non-consequential testing during the 2003 season, the media contended that use was not as
prevalent as expected.
America's major sports leagues lack consistent testing policies. None have policies with the kind of serious
suspensions that outside drug experts believe offer an effective deterrent to use. In contrast, Olympic
sports, both in the United States and abroad, adhere to a rigorous code that requires testing for all
performance-enhancing substances and illicit drugs, with meaningful sanctions.
A Call to Action:
President Bush will use the bully pulpit to keep the pressure on America's athletes and major sports
leagues need to become responsible leaders in our Nation's collective effort to create a culture of
disapproval toward drugs. These sports bring incredible enjoyment to millions of fans and reap immense
financial benefits in return. The leagues, players, coaches, and unions must work together to institute more
effective drug testing and enforcement policies to ensure access to professional assistance and/or drug
treatment for athletes that test positive for drug usage.
FINAL
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES BY HELPING RETURNING INMATES FIND WORK
Presidential Action:
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush proposed a four-year, $300 million initiative to reduce recidivism and the
societal costs of reincarceration by helping inmates find work when they return to their communities. The President's
initiative, contained in his FY 2005 budget, will harness the resources and experience of faith-based and community
organizations (FBCOs) in helping returning inmates contribute to society.
Background:
Studies show that approximately two-thirds of ex-offenders are rearrested within three years of release, and the costs to the
communities (particularly urban communities) of these crimes are large. This year, more than 600,000 adult inmates will
complete their sentences and be released. To help ex-offenders turn away from crime, a substantial number of inner-city
faith-based and community leaders have created resourceful programs. Working with business and service providers, these
organizations provide job training, housing options and transitional services that help ex-offenders contribute to their
communities.
Program Specifics:
Through a collaboration of the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and
the Department of Justice (DOJ), ex-offenders would find and keep employment, obtain transitional housing and receive
mentoring the three key requirements for successful re-entry.
Employment: FBCOs would offer job training and job placement services in coordination with business and other
employment providers.
Transitional housing: Grants would be available to organizations providing housing services or vouchers made available
to individuals to partially subsidize transitional housing.
Mentoring: FBCOs would provide post-release mentoring and other services essential to reintegrating ex-offenders in
coordination with the corrections, parole, and probation structure.
This proposal would expand on elements of a pilot project now underway at DOL (the Ready4Work Project). The groups
participating in this pilot project have seen promising results:
In 2002, Exodus Transitional Community in East Harlem, NY, was established five years ago by a group of
ex-offenders. In 2002, Exodus served 213 ex-offenders with just six returning to prison. In 2003, Exodus
served 290 with only three participants returning to prison.
The City of Memphis Second Chance Program was established three years ago by Mayor Willie E.
Herenton. Second Chance has served over 1,500 ex-offenders over the past three years with only four
returning to prison.
This initiative will complement existing Administration efforts to monitor the children of prisoners. This year $9 million was
awarded to faith-based and community groups and the omnibus spending bill now pending in Congress includes $50 million
in additional funds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVES PLEASE VISIT WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV
FINAC
SEEKING FAIR TREATMENT FOR FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY CHARITIES
Presidential Action:
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush called on Congress to codify the principle of equal treatment for faith-
based organizations in the Federal grants process, putting an end to discrimination against these charities. This legislation
would ensure that more Americans in need would be able to get vital social services from the country's most effective
charities, whether they are secular or faith-based organizations.
Background:
During his first week in office, President Bush directed the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
(OFBCI) and faith-based offices in five Cabinet agencies to identify barriers that kept effective faith-based programs from
serving Americans in need. OFBCI issued an August 2001 report, entitled "Unlevel Playing Field," detailing the barriers
faced by these groups. In December 2002, the President issued an Executive Order directing agencies to take steps to
ensure that all policies are consistent with the "equal treatment" principles enunciated in the Executive Order. In response
to the President's Executive Order, Federal agencies have issued six final regulations and three proposed regulations,
along with numerous other policy changes, to implement the equal treatment principles. As a result of these regulatory
changes, faith-based organizations will be ensured equal treatment when they compete for approximately $10 billion in
grant funds.
Many faith-based organizations that had been effective in serving the poor faced discrimination in their efforts to partner with
the Federal government. The regulatory reforms instituted by President Bush have remedied some of these problems, but
without the permanence of Federal statute, these reforms could be short-lived. These examples illustrate the need for
Congress to enact "equal treatment" provisions and end discrimination in all programs against faith-based charities:
Under HUD regulations in effect when the President came into office, the Safe House for Battered Women and
Their Children was told that the faith-based organization was ineligible for funding because it wanted to hold
religious activities on-site. (Old HUD regulations had said that religious organizations must provide services in a
manner free from "religious influences.") When Safe House learned about the new HUD regulations finalized in
September 2003, they reapplied, and in January 2004, the City of Baton Rouge awarded Safe House a $60,000
grant.
Several years ago, the Loving Hands Community Development Corporation (part of the Bethel Baptist Church of
Barnesville, Georgia) found some of its funding for its after-school program cut off under a new state policy that
prohibited school systems from subcontracting with faith-based organizations. The Supplemental Educational
Services (SES) program, part of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, directs States to allow faith-
based organizations to participate fully. In September 2003, Loving Hands became an approved provider of SES
services and now receives fee-for-service payments to provide after-school services to 25 children.
When the Orange County Rescue Mission in California applied for a grant under HUD's Supportive Housing
Program, they were awarded the grant but were told they would need to ban all religious activities from their
facilities, create a secular nonprofit organization, and begin calling their chapel an "auditorium." Rather than
compromise their religious identity, the Orange County Rescue Mission forfeited the $1.1 million grant. Since the
HUD regulations finalized in September 2003 would not require them to form a secular entity to receive HUD funds,
and inherently religious activities would still be allowed as long as they are separated in time or location from HUD-
funded activities, the Orange County Rescue Mission recently applied for a new HUD grant.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVES PLEASE VISIT WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV
Pls
AP- -
28
Adjunt Tenchers
to
Commun College
250
33 12
Pell / state scholurs
45
Math (includes 20fm NSF) 120
Readers
100
583