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FROM THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
(TUE) 12' 95 17:38/ST. 17:34/NO. 3560662505 P 2/5
0/12/95 14:34
703 276 5057
TRW GOVRELS #010
1
003/003
The Business Roundtable
John W. Snow
1615 L Street. N.W.
Chairman
Suije 1100
Washington, D.C. 20036-5810
Jerry A. Junkins
(202) 972-1260 FAX (202) 480-3:09
Cochairman
Samuel L. Maury
Ralph S. Larsen
President
Coctairmen
Patricia Hanahan Engman
Edgar S. Woolard, Jr.
Executive Director
Commission
September 11, 1995
The Honorable Arlen Specter
Chairman
Scnate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor
and Human Services, and Education
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Business Roundtable strongly supports continued funding for the implementation of "Goals
2000 Educate America Act" for FY '96 at the current fiscal year level of $372 million. We believe
this amount will ensure that the 47 states that have elected to participate in the program will be able to
maximize their efforts TO raise academic standards and support local school level education
improvement and reform.
The Roundtable also believes that continued support for Goals 2000 is important despite the current
focus within Congress on balancing the budget. Education is an area within the federal budger
where strategic investments must continue in order to assure that our children become productive
workers and active members of society.
As Congress moves closer to resolution on a final budger package. we respectfully urge you and
your colleagues to support the continued funding for the Goals 2000 program.
Sincerely,
Horma
Joseph I. Gorman
Chairman, Education Task Force
and
Chairman and CEO
TRW Inc.
MG:sch
cc: Members. Senate Appropriations Subcomminee on Labor
and Human Services, and Education
GREAT SEAL OF STATE
THE
OF
Wire
EVADA
STATE OF NEVADA
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
TELEPHONE
Capitol Complex
BOB MILLER
(702) 687-5670
Governor
Carson City, Nevada 89710
Fax: (702) 687-4486
October 16, 1995
Mr. Michael Cohen
Senior Advisor to the Secretary
United States Department of Education
Washington D.C. 20202
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Thank you for your recent correspondence informing me of the
technical support and information resources that are available
through your department. I am a strong supporter of the GOALS 2000
program and my wife, Sandy is serving as chairperson of NEVADA
2000, our comprehensive State improvement plan. We believe this
program will enable us to increase the employability of our youth
as well as maintain Nevada's economic competitiveness.
GOALS 2000 is instrumental to Nevada's efforts to reform
education in our local schools districts and provide professional
development for our teachers. I am pleased to report that
educators, business representatives and parents throughout Nevada
have endorsed the goals and strategies outlined in our
comprehensive plan.
I am certain that as we begin to implement the various aspects
of NEVADA 2000, my staff and our State Department of Education will
enlist your assistance. We appreciate being able to include the
U.S. Department of Education as part of our support network.
Again, thank you for your kind assistance.
Sincerely,
Bab Miller
BOB MILLER
Governor
BM/cc
(0)-3412
GREAT THE OF
OF
EVADA
STATE OF NEVADA
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
TELEPHONE
Capitol Complex
BOB MILLER
(702) 687-5670
Governor
Carson City, Nevada 89710
Fax: (702) 687-4486
October 16, 1995
Mr. Michael Cohen
Senior Advisor to the Secretary
United States Department of Education
Washington D.C. 20202
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Thank you for your recent correspondence informing me of the
technical support and information resources that are available
through your department. I am a strong supporter of the GOALS 2000
program and my wife, Sandy is serving as chairperson of NEVADA
2000, our comprehensive State improvement plan. We believe this
program will enable us to increase the employability of our youth
as well as maintain Nevada's economic competitiveness.
GOALS 2000 is instrumental to Nevada's efforts to reform
education in our local schools districts and provide professional
development for our teachers. I am pleased to report that
educators, business representatives and parents throughout Nevada
have endorsed the goals and strategies outlined in our
comprehensive plan.
I am certain that as we begin to implement the various aspects
of NEVADA 2000, my staff and our State Department of Education will
enlist your assistance. We appreciate being able to include the
U.S. Department of Education as part of our support network.
Again, thank you for your kind assistance.
Sincerely,
Bd Miller
BOB MILLER
Governor
BM/cc
(0)-3412
GREAT SEAL OF
THE
OF
EVADA
STATE OF NEVADA
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
TELEPHONE
Capitol Complex
BOB MILLER
(702) 687-5670
Governor
Carson City, Nevada 89710
Fax: (702) 687-4486
October 16, 1995
Mr. Michael Cohen
Senior Advisor to the Secretary
United States Department of Education
Washington D.C. 20202
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Thank you for your recent correspondence informing me of the
technical support and information resources that are available
through your department. I am a strong supporter of the GOALS 2000
program and my wife, Sandy is serving as chairperson of NEVADA
2000, our comprehensive State improvement plan. We believe this
program will enable us to increase the employability of our youth
as well as maintain Nevada's economic competitiveness.
GOALS 2000 is instrumental to Nevada's efforts to reform
education in our local schools districts and provide professional
development for our teachers. I am pleased to report that
educators, business representatives and parents throughout Nevada
have endorsed the goals and strategies outlined in our
comprehensive plan.
I am certain that as we begin to implement the various aspects
of NEVADA 2000, my staff and our State Department of Education will
enlist your assistance. We appreciate being able to include the
U.S. Department of Education as part of our support network.
Again, thank you for your kind assistance.
Sincerely,
Bob Miller
BOB MILLER
Governor
BM/cc
(O)-3412
WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dr. Henry R. Marockie, State/Superintendent of Schools
Phone: 304-558-2681
Building 6/1900 Kanawha Blvd. E./Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0330
Fax: 304-558-0048
West Virginia Board of Education
Audrey S. Horne, President
Paul 1. Morris, Vice President
Cleo P. Mathews, Secretary
Michael D. Greer
Sheila M. Hamilton
James J. MacCallum
Charles H. Wagoner
August 14, 1995
Gary G. White
The Honorable Michael Cohen
Senior Adviser to the Secretary
United States Department of Education
Washington, D.C. 20202
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Thank you for the listing of resources that are available to the West Virginia Department of
Education and the public that we serve. The services that you provide are critical to the success of
public education. The leadership of the Secretary has been invaluable in providing for a transition
from top-down to bottom-up reform.
The flexibility built into the legislation for the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the School
to Work Opportunities Act, and Improving America's Schools Act have truly transformed the role
of the Department of Education in Washington into one of being a supportive partner with state and
local school systems. As a consequence of your initiatives, the State has developed a unified plan that
will enable local schools to submit one plan for instruction to the state agency, rather than the ten
plans required in the past. The state unified plan is being field tested this fiscal year by numerous
local school districts and will be implemented statewide before the next school year begins. We have
found our local superintendents to be excited about the potential for more effective planning, as they
expect this to result both in improved student performance and a reduction in the resources required
to complete the paperwork that demonstrates the responsible use of funds.
Equally important to the growing effectiveness of our schools is the impetus provided by the
Educate America Act. The opportunity to develop model programs to address the real needs of a
community as they come together to improve schools is vital to our efforts. Illustrative of the
initiatives funded by the Educate America Act are the following:
Tucker County received $22,500 to establish a county/district-wide computer based technology for
use in the library media centers to ensure that all students have access to equal educational
opportunities;
Ritchie County received $22,400 to provide a community education center where students, faculty,
parents and the community can go for remediation, enrichment and training during school, after
school, and in the summer;
Putnam County received $22,500 to implement a comprehensive approach to include policy
development, program development and management, information dissemination, and professional
development for their project "From School to Work: Aligning Public Education with Economic
Development;"
Kanawha County received $22,300 to implement a "School Within A School, The Modified
Calendar," redesigning instructional time around learning while permitting parents to choose the
traditional or the modified calendar;
Hampshire County received $16,700 to implement "River Net," a program to develop thinking
skills, processes for investigating the world, and decision making so that students' performance equals
or exceeds the national averages in math and science;
Brooke County received $12,500 for the implementation of "The Class Project" that proposed to
install freefield amplification systems in both inclusive and special needs classrooms that intensify
instructors voices and reduce the negative effects of background noise and improve auditory attention
and speech perception skills in students;
Mercer County received $12,500 to implement "Double Shot," emphasizing application of basic
mathematical skills and concepts to real life problem situations and the need for accurate spelling to
communicate effectively for seventh and eighth graders;
A consortium of schools in Regional Service Agency V (RESA V) received $25,000 for "Building
the Technology Foundation: The Site Based Connection," to provide a foundation for the effective
implementation and use of technology at the school level for the purpose of improving student
learning across all disciplines. Collaborative planning, training, and technical assistance on a regional
level provides a cost effective delivery model, yet addresses the specific needs of schools;
A second consortium of Gilmer, Lewis and Upshur counties received $25,000 for "Project Glue,"
to develop and implement a model program that partners teacher candidates with teachers of core
curriculum to address new and expandable topics in each discipline, new and improved methods of
instruction, new technology in instruction, restructuring the school day, multiple methods of student
evaluation, and the use of the combined school systems with those of the institutions of higher
education.
With supplemental monies from the office of the Governor, additional projects were funded,
including:
Lincoln County received $37,500 for the "Harts of the Community" program--including a parent
involvement program, adult classes, creation of a library, summer and after school tutoring and
enrichment, a pediatric clinic and staff training;
McDowell County received $37,500 for "Project McDowell County Community 20001," combining
an after school tutoring program for students with a parent program that offers GED opportunities,
and computer technical training. A physical fitness center will be made available and community
health resources sought for consultation on needs of parents and students.
In summary, forty-three of the fifty-five districts received a grant. Awards ranged from
$3,000 to $37,500. In every instance the districts made a commitment to form a district wide panel
to plan for the comprehensive educational needs of their school system. From the state award of just
over $750,000 a statewide technology plan has been developed, a state panel has conducted focus
group meetings in every region, has held numerous subcommittee work sessions, and is developing
a comprehensive five year educational plan for the state to ensure the most efficient and effective use
of tax dollars. We are very proud of the efforts and the accomplishments of the Panel in its first year.
We at the State Department of Education look forward to building on this foundation and to seeing
the emergence of a data base that will chart the impact of this program.
On behalf of the students and parents of West Virginia who will benefit, I thank you. We
clearly understand that none of this could or would have happened without the leadership of the
Secretary of Education and his staff. For your confidence that the states could be trusted to address
the needs of their constituents with these limited tax dollars--without reams of regulations, we are
grateful. Few dollars appropriated for education (or many other programs) have accomplished SO
much for so little.
Sincerely,
dy
Mumbi
Henry Marockie
State Superintendent of Schools
c: Senator Robert C. Byrd
Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV
Congressman Alan Mollohan
Congressman Bob Wise
Congressman Nick Joe Rahall II
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable Arlen Specter
United States Senate
530 Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Specter:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing SO. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing.
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
12/12 '95 13:06
ID:DISTRICT 31
FAX: 708-272-4818
PAGE
2
DEC-12-1995 FROM SUPI OFFICE DIST 225
TO
92724818 P.02
WASHINGTON DEFICE:
JOHN EDWARD PORTER
2972 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
10TH DISTRICT or ILLINOIS
WASHINGTON, DC 20615-1310
(202) 226-4836
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
HOME OFFICER:
SUBCOMMITTEES
102 WILMOT ROAD
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
SUITE 200
LABOR. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
DEERFIELD. IL 60015-0100
AND EDUCATION
Congress of the United States
(708) 940-0202
-
NORTH COUNTY STHEET
MR ITAMY CONSTRUCTION
house of Representatives
BUT. A COUNTY BUILDING
COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND
WAUKEGAN, L 6008E-4339
COOPERATION IN EUROPE
(708) 602-0101
CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN
@Mashington, DC 20515-1310
115 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
RIGHTS CAUCUS
SUITE 104
CO-CLAIMAN
December 8, 1995
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, II 60004-3862
Dr. Jean McGrew
(708) 392-0303
Superintendent of Schools
Glenbrook TWP H.S. Dist. 225
1835 Landwehr Road
Glenview. IL 60025
Dear Jean:
I received your communication regarding the 1st in the World Consortlum. I am very proud of the
work that you are doing.
As I believe you know, I have written to Secretary Riley to request the Department's continued
support for the work of 1st in the World Consortium and for its help in Initiating the administering
the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) to the Consortium's students. I have
enclosed a copy of my letter and the Secretary's response.
Regarding appropriations for Goals 2000, as you know the allocation my Subcommirtee received for
drafting the annual appropriations bill for the departments of Education, Health & Human Services,
and Labor and related agencies was reduced by $9.3 billion, or 13%, below the fiscal year enacted
level. Consequently, the House did not include any funding for Goals 2000. The Senate Jid not
require the same level of reductions in programs under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, providing
approximately $1.5 billion more for these activities. The Senate Subcommittee provided $310 million
for GOALS 2000. However, for reasons other than funding level concerns, the full Senate has been
unable to bring the appropriations bill up for consideration. Once the Senate's version of the
appropriations bill is adopted by the full Senate, a House-Senate Conference Committee will meet to
reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill and negotiate a final bill which can be
sent to the President. The President is requesting Goals 2000 funding in his budget negotiations with
the Congress, and I therefore believe that the final legislation that is sent to the President will include
funding for Goals 2000.
I appreciate your contacting me regarding the Consortium's agenda, and I hope you will continue to
feel free to contact me whenever issues of concern to you come before the Congress.
Sincerely,
John Edward Porter
JEP:sec
Member of Congress
Enclosures
THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLINTIONS
TOTAL P.G2
CALE
COLEME
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
ROBERT ANDREWS
ACE REED ONCOE SLAND
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ROEMER NOIAMA
ELIOT L ENGEL NEW CAR
2181 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
PECERRA CALIFORNIA
ROBERT necer scort
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6100
CENE GREEN TEXAS
YNW C WOOLSEY CALFORNIA
CARLOS A. ROMERO-BARCELO PUENTO
BONKONE PENNSYLVANIA
LARAN ENGLISH ARIZONA
to STRICKLAND in
RON DE COGO VIRGIN SLANOS
- FALEOMAVAEGA AMERICAN SAMOA
com BREELER KENTUCKY
ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD SUAM
June 7, 1994
The Honorable James J. Rhoades
Chairman
Senate Education Committee
Room 168
Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Thank you for inviting me to attend your hearing on GOALS
2000: The Educate America Act. Unfortunately, due to a previous
commitment, I am unable to be with you today. Nevertheless, I
wanted to share some of my thoughts on this important legislation.
After almost six years of negotiations spanning nearly the
entire Bush Administration and the first year and one-half of the
Clinton Administration, I was very pleased that this legislation
finally became the law of the land a few months ago.
GOALS 2000 is the first Federal program to focus on improving
the quality of education in this country; until now, the Federal
government paid little attention to student learning and
achievement. This law encourages States and localities to set high
academic standards for America's children, and it makes it clear
that we have high expectations for our future generations.
GOALS 2000 enshrines into law the national education goals and
a National Education Goals Panel to monitor our country's progress
toward attaining these goals. It contains an important safe
schools provision that begins to address the rampant violence that
is spreading from school to school across the nation. This
legislation acknowledges that State and local education officials
know best how to meet the needs of students and it provides
regulatory flexibility to States, local educational agencies and
schools.
While I strongly supported final passage of this bill, let me
make it clear that this was not always- the case. As one of the
The Honorable James J. Rhoades
June 7, 1994
Page 2
strongest supporters of State and local control of education in the
Congress, I fought throughout the legislative process against all
unnecessary Federal intrusion and bureaucracy. In particular, I
fought against the opportunity to learn provisions in this bill.
At the outset, I must emphasize that any State's participation
in Goals 2000 is voluntary. A State must only meet the require-
ments of the program if it participates. Otherwise, it will not
have to do so.
Let me take a moment to explain some of the changes we made in
the final bill. First, while a State must develop opportunity to
learn standards or strategies, they only have to include those
factors it deems appropriate to achieve a State's content and
performance standards. In other words, OTL standards or strategies
are whatever a State wants them to be as long as they are focused
on improved student learning.
The single most important section of the bill dealing with
opportunity to learn is this: no State, local education agency, or
school will be required to implement OTL standards or strategies.
so, while a State must develop OTL standards or strategies, they do
not have to be implemented. Briefly, let me outline a few of the
other State and local control provisions in GOALS 2000:
no State must have their standards certified by any Panel
or Commission;
the adoption of standards, assessments, and opportunity
to learn strategies or standards is not linked to
participation in any other program;
nothing in GOALS 2000 can be construed to mandate
equalized spending or to mandate national school building
standards;
nothing in GOALS 2000 can be construed to mandate a State
or locality to incur costs not paid for under this act;
and, there is a general prohibition on Federal mandates
with respect to the direction or control of a State,
local education agency, or school's curriculum, program
of instruction, or allocation of resources.
requires each State improvement plan to include
strategies for ensuring that comprehensive, systemic
reform is promoted from the bottom up in communities,
local educational agencies and schools and includes a
list of optional strategies for State consideration.
The Honorable James J. Rhoades
June 7, 1994
Page 3
reaffirms State and local responsibility for control of
education.
O
requires the local plan to promote the flexibility of
local schools in developing plans which address the
particular needs of their school and community.
I would have preferred no opportunity to learn provisions, but
that is not the way the legislative process works. So, while the
final GOALS 2000 bill was not perfect, I believe it still has the
potential to have an enormous impact on education in this nation.
In my view, there are two big obstacles that must be overcome for
this program to ultimately be judged a success.
First, the various groups involved in setting academic
standards must do their job correctly and produce sensible,
understandable standards, so everyone involved in the educational
process will know what is expected of them. Overly complicated
standards filled with academic jargon will meet with resistance by
parents, teachers, and children, and will ultimately find their
place buried on the shelf with dozens of other well-intended
education reform efforts.
Let me also emphasize that these must be academic standards.
Parents Have the primary responsibility for instilling in their
children the values and behaviors that will guide and shape the
lives of their children. Standards that are promulgated at the
Federal and State levels must carefully avoid straying into
attempts to dictate values and behaviors. The extent to which
schools may delve into these areas, if at all, is a decision that
must be left to parents and the local schools that respond to them.
Second, the Department of Education must ensure that there is
an absolute minimum of Federal influence on GOALS 2000 efforts in
the States and communities. At this point, I am pleased to say
that it appears for the most part the Department is doing just as
they promised. They have decided not to promulgate complicated
regulations to implement GOALS 2000, and they have even been able
to keep the GOALS 2000 application forms to only a few short pages
-- no small accomplishment for a Federal bureaucracy.
However, there are some early warning signs on the horizon
that merit our careful scrutiny. In Ohio, the U.S. Department of
Education's Office of Civil Rights is investigating that State's
development and implementation of their Ninth-Grade Proficiency
Tests on the grounds that perhaps not all students were provided an
opportunity to learn. While this case is still in the relatively
preliminary stages, it could have a profound impact on other States
efforts to implement GOALS 2000.
The Honorable James J. Rhcades
June 7, 1994
Page 4
This investigation appears to unnecessarily involve the
Federal government in the day-to-day operations of school systems
and raises serious questions about the feasibility of standards and
assessment efforts in all states. It raises the question of
whether or not the Department will allow any high stakes standards
and assessment provisions to ever be implemented. Clearly, the
Ohio case is one to watch.
Finally, we have provided States, local educational agencies
and local schools the opportunity to request waivers from federal
regulations which they believe prevent them from undertaking
education reform. This waiver authority is limited to seven
elementary and secondary education programs at the present time.
In conclusion, I want to reiterate my support for GOALS 2000
and urge its careful implementation in Pennsylvania. The demands
of an increasingly competitive international marketplace make it
imperative that we dramatically change our educational system, not
because it is failing but because we must provide all of our
citizens with much higher levels of skills and knowledge if this
democracy and its economy are to survive. In my view, passage of
GOALS 2000 has the potential to be seen as a watershed event in the
annals of education reform. However, the only way this will happen
is with the active participation of everyone -- regardless of
political persuasion -- with a stake in education reform. I know
my friends in the Pennsylvania legislature are up to this important
task.
If there is anything my staff or I can do to help with the
Pennsylvania GOALS 2000 reform efforts, I hope you will not
hesitate to call on me.
Bell BILL GOODLING
Sincerely,
Ranking Republican Member
BG:ls
STATEM
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
September 18, 1995
Michael Cohen
Senior Advisor to the Secretary
United States Dept. of Education
Washington, D.C. 20202
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Thank you for your letter, and the information regarding the technical assistance services
available to the State of Wisconsin. I appreciate the time you took to write and your
patience in awaiting a response.
Although Goals 2000 has only been in effect a short time, the program has changed the
face of education as we know it. I applaud your efforts to help children everywhere reach
the high academic standards we have set for them. Your new technical assistance
services sound like a wonderful way to continue down the road to successful education
reform. Keep up the good work.
Thank you again for the letter and materials. I have forwarded them to my policy staff
for their consideration. Should they have any questions or comments, they will contact
you directly. Please do not hesitate to keep my office informed.
Sincerely,
Tommy TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
TGT/bwl
g:/bdw/143819
Room 115 East, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7863, Madison. Wisconsin 53707
(608)266-1212
FAX (608) 267-8983
COMMUNITY
FINCATION
State of Ohio
Department of Education
John M. Goff
Ohio Departments Building, Room 810, 65 South Front Screet. Columbus 43215-4183
Superintendent of Public Instruction
STATE
OHIO
December 6, 1995
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to urge your continued support for the Goals 2000 program as you work
with the Congressional leadership to fashion a plan for balancing the federal budget.
Mr. President, I support the goal of a balanced federal budget; however, I also believe
that goal will not and cannot be realized without continued -even expanded- strategic
federal investments in education and workforce development programs like Goals
2000.
Briefly, I would like to share with you some of the reasons why I believe Ohio's
participation in Goals 2000 is enhancing our state's comprehensive education
improvement agenda and activities related to the same.
By strategically targeting the Goals 2000 funding available under the program, Ohio
has been able to plan and leverage additional strategies for furthering our education
reform agenda. These funds provide critical investments at the margin to advance
Ohio's school improvement agenda by: (1) supporting Ohio's 126 intervention
districts in their efforts to increase the level of academic achievement of students on
state proficiency tests; (2) developing connections, including a technology network,
between our "venture capital" schools; (3) identifying, sharing, and replicating
innovative practices and pacesetter schools; (4) promoting public outreach and
awareness about the national education goals; and (5) connecting school districts and
colleges of education for professional development partnerships. Since we do not
have the resource flexibility in our existing state budget, these efforts will be lost if
federal funds are eliminated. All of these initiatives are essential.
- 2
Just as vital, our participation in Goals 2000 has enabled us to secure Ed-Flex status
from U.S.D.O.E. Ohio is one of six states approved to authorize waivers and
regulatory relief under the new federal Education Flexibility Partnership
Demonstration Grant (Ed-Flex) program. For local school districts throughout Ohio,
such waiver authority will ensure that the rules and regulations that obstruct
innovative action to improve student learning are removed. Further, with Ohio's
existing waiver authority, these initiatives will put this state in the forefront of
deregulation, while providing a powerful tool for the Department, and, most
importantly, for local schools and districts.
At no time in history has the case for education improvement been more compelling.
While some critical first steps have been taken, we all know that deep and lasting
reform is a long-term challenge. Our work has produced some important successes,
but much remains to be done. Goals 2000 is furthering this work in Ohio.
Respectfully yours,
John Yott
John M. Goff
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
EDUCATION BUILDING
SANTA FE-87501-2786
ALAN D. MORGAN
December 7, 1995
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of New Mexico's educational community, I am writing to urge
your continued support for Goals 2000 and to request that you hold
steadfastly to your position regarding continued funding for this
program.
In New Mexico, the Goals 2000 resource has significantly accelerated
the rate at which needed educational reform is taking place. More
importantly, as a result of these restructuring efforts, we have begun
to see increases in the achievement levels of students and more
particularly those of children of Native American and Hispanic descent.
The focus of educational reform in New Mexico is at the community
level. The New Mexico State Board of Education has established the
expectation that communities develop Educational Plans for Student
Success (EPSS). The Goals 2000 resource has accelerated school
district ability to develop and implement their EPSS. Projects funded
under the auspices of Goals 2000 must show how the use of these funds
address the development and implementation of the EPSS. To date, the
State Department of Education has approved local applications for
funding that include initiatives such as:
Parents as teachers and meaningful participants in the
educational process,
Organizing community resources on behalf of student achievement,
Statewide planning for the delivery of staff development,
Alternative assessment practices that recognize our state's
ethnic and cultural diversity, and
Developing standards and benchmarks appropriate at the state
and local levels.
"New Mexico Education: Good Schools Getting Better"
The Honorable William J. Clinton
December 7, 1995
Page 2
Your support of Goals 2000 and increased funding will allow New Mexico
to continue on this path of success that helps students achieve at
higher levels.
On behalf of New Mexico's educational community, let me convey our
appreciation for your unwavering support to public education.
Respectfully,
ALAN D. MORGAN
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
ADM: jj
Kansas State Board of Education
120 S.E. 10th Avenue, Topeka. Kansas 66612-1182
December 6, 1995
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
WASHINGTON DC
RE: Educate America Act : Goals 2000
Dear President Clinton:
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to support the renewal and expansion of the
Educate America Act: Goals 2000 legislation which was passed in March 1994 and implemented
in July 1994. The Educate America Act: Goals 2000 was implemented in Kansas for a second
year on July 1, 1995. The impact of these resources on assisting with our restructuring and reform
efforts in Kansas has been very significant even though we have only concluded one full year of
operation and approximately half of a second year.
The success of this legislation in Kansas is based on two primary factors very clearly evident in the
legislation. Number one, the flexibility of the legislation to allow the states and subsequently the
local districts to use the resources to assist in state and local reform efforts which are prescriptive to
each local district and state and secondly, based on this flexibility, as a support to educational
reform initiatives begun back in the early 90's in Kansas. Subsequently, Goals 2000 was not a
new federal program in Kansas but aligned itself quite well in its eight national goals to the Kansas
State Board of Education's mission and seven strategic directions. The intent of the Educate
America Act and Kansas Mission for Education are very closely aligned and the seven Strategic
Directions adopted by the Kansas State Board of Education and the eight national goals are almost
identical.
In Year One, in both subgrant competitions, Local Reform and the Preservice Professional
Development, 208 school districts were involved in the initiative with 230,612 students being
served across the state of Kansas. Activities ranging from partnerships between local districts and
colleges and universities, staff development, development of district standards, local assessments
and outcomes and curriculum development, were areas that were supported by the monies awarded
through the subgrant process. This year the subgrant process is just being completed and we
anticipate twice as many districts participating as last year with a greater number of children and
youth being served through this legislation.
It is very important not only to renew the Goals 2000 for its five-year authorization for Years Three
through Five, but to expand the appropriations as intended when the legislation was approved by a
bipartisan House and Senate representation. It is anticipated that this year in Kansas,
approximately half of the school districts will be participating in Goals 2000 school improvement
efforts impacting about half of the student population. Therefore, to have the full impact of
implementing local reform and restructuring efforts in the districts, additional resources to
accomplish this will be needed.
Dale M. Dennis
Deputy/Assistant Commissioner
Division of Fiscal Services and Quality Control
(913) 296-3871
Fax No. (913) 296-7933
President Bill Clinton
Page 2
December 6, 1995
Thank you for your support of Goals 2000 and we urge you to provide a greater financial
commitment to enhance school improvement efforts nationwide. It is through these Goals 2000
initiatives we feel we can accomplish the goals of establishing and setting quality and high
standards for all' students. Therefore, our state will vigorously pursue the eight national goals
which will assist us in having the best educational system in America and in the world.
Dale M. Dennis
Interim Commissioner of Education
DMD/hr
STATE OF OUISINA
STATE OF LOUISIANA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P. O. BOX 94064
OFFICENCE
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70804-9064
December 6, 1995
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Mr. President:
Please consider this letter as a statement of support for your efforts to maintain and enhance
our nation's commitment to quality education through the Goals 2000: Educate America Act.
The vast majority of Americans know and appreciate the role of education in maintaining our
democratic society, economic system and quality of life. The Goals 2000 program is presently
the most thoughtful, well-conceived, organized, supported and led reform initiative in the
nation and in our state. I urge you to support its continuation at its full funding level.
The citizens of Louisiana do recognize the importance of education, and they sincerely wish
to ensure that their children have every opportunity to access quality education appropriate
for the 21st century. The Louisiana Goals 2000 program has provided a strong and supportive
national structure for our state's reform efforts with unprecedented flexibility and freedom for
reform activities. Because of this flexibility and freedom, our state and school systems have
been able to plan and begin implementation of important educational reform projects. These
projects have been referenced to the national goals and meet our needs and priorities in the
areas of local improvement, professional development, educational technology and preservice
education. All these efforts are focused on the key concepts of defining high academic
standards and helping all students to achieve to those standards. Within the first two years of
the Louisiana Goals 2000 program, Louisiana has been able to engage 54 of its 66 school
systems in this effort; in subsequent years, we hope that all systems will be involved.
Members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation have already been advised of our strong
support for Goals 2000, including Representative Robert Livingston. As your administration
moves forward with budget negotiations, please be confident of our support for national
educational improvement based on the Goals 2000 concepts of high academic standards, state
and local leadership in educational reform, and ensuring that all children have the opportunity
to achieve to their highest respective capacities.
Sincerely,
Raymond
Raymond G. Arveson, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Education
Louisiana Department of Education
RGA:WJM:dad
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
ROBERT E. BARTMAN
Commissioner of Education
DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 480
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65102-0480
December 6, 1995
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Before Congress enacted the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the Missouri Legislature
passed The Outstanding Schools Act in May 1993. This law established several new
programs and policies aimed at improving Missouri's public schools. Many of the provisions
in The Outstanding Schools Act closely parallel those of Goals 2000.
Missouri convened a State Panel comprising of over one hundred people to draft the state
plan for educational reform and technology. The panel members, who were appointed by the
Governor and the State Board of Education, have been steadfast in their support of Goals
2000.
The Outstanding Schools Act and the Goals 2000 legislation each speak to the development
of state academic standards. Missouri began developing the standards soon after the passage
of The Outstanding Schools Act. Missouri's Goals 2000 State Plan is intended to reinforce
the need for and assist in the full implementation of the knowledge, skills, and competencies
identified in Missouri's Show-Me Standards as well as in the School-to-Work plan.
Fortunately, Goals 2000 provides Missouri a means to develop a comprehensive state plan
designed to implement the state's performance standards and other educational improvement
initiatives.
I urge you to support the expansion of the Goals 2000 program. The program will continue
to support the educational improvement initiatives in Missouri.
Good wishes.
Sincerely,
RobertE.Bartman
Robert E. Bartman
Commissioner of Education
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Christopher Bond
United States Senate
293 Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Bond:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
1450
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
September 7, 1995
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable Richard Riley
Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
F.O.B. 6
Washington, D.C. 20202
OS/ES/CCCS
AM
Dear Secretary Riley:
I am sending you copies of several letters I've sent to senators
following up our meeting at the White House on the Goals 2000
Educate America Act.
I would like to emphasize 3 convictions that I tried to convey in
my brief remarks:
1. The importance of achieving higher educational standards needs
more Sustained Focus than it is receiving today. I believe, as
you and the President do that improving the educational
preparation of our children is the most important issue facing
this country. It lies at the foundation of so many things we
seek -- better productivity; a stronger economy; avoidance of a
deepening cleavage within a "two class" society; etc.
Today, this issue is too easily lost in a welter of issues.
The public sees it flashing across TV screens and in
newspapers, competing for attention with balanced budgets;
greater deficits; welfare and health care reform; violence; and
much more. If this is really going to have an impact, it has
got to be treated more as a singular issue.
WHAT IF there was a coordinated, top-down confrontation of this
issue and its importance, reaching out to everyone in the
country -- starting with the President with an hour
presentation in prime time; followed a week later by every
governor in his or her state talking to the public; followed a
week after that by the mayors and heads of school boards and
business leaders in each local community talking about what
needed to be done there to improve the education of our youth.
It would be a massive undertaking, calling for significant
preparation. But I think it could be done. The key then would
be follow-up. Follow-up. Follow-up. With specific
accountability for doing different things in each part of the
community. With measures of progress.
-2-
2. I urge that some important portion of the funding from
Goals 2000 be placed in what I will describe as high impact,
high profile reform efforts aimed at holistic reform for total
school districts in a major urban areas. It probably would
make sense to continue to do this via the state. I think that
has been a very sound strategy: But I think it is most
important that we have underway a major community-wide,
multi-year reform effort that is designed to achieve
transformation of one or more of our most challenging large
urban school districts. To the best of my knowledge, we don't
have one success story in the country that would involve the
entirety of one of our top 5-10 urban school districts. I
would make the competition for this particular grant very
tough. I would require top leadership in the community to come
together both to present the case for the grant and, assuming
they won it, to share learnings at least once a year with other
winning districts. For example, you could do 4 districts at
$20 million each for a total of $80 million/year. My basic
point here is that I think a systemic breakthrough improvement
in our urban public school districts is the toughest challenge
we face and I think we ought to be directing specific effort
against it, but do everything possible to assure that it has
the community buy-in and the follow-through that will be
essential for it to succeed.
3. We must find a better way to transfer success. This is a
complex subject that goes beyond what I can convey in this
letter. However, if it should be of interest to you to follow
it up, I would be happy to do so.
I hope at least some of these thoughts are helpful. You and your
team are working on the most important challenge this nation faces.
You have done wonderful work on it. I wish you the greatest
success and stand ready to help in any way I can.
Sincerely,
CC Mr. J.T. Gorman
Mr. R. L. Wehling
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
General Offices
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Placa
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable Michael DeWine
United States Senate
140 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Mike,
I'd like to go into more detail beyond the copy of the note I sent
you which I had sent on to Bill Koberg. I spent yesterday in
Washington on the subject of education, most importantly, on the
Goals 2000 Act.
I would like to again amplify why I feel this is a piece of
legislation that we ought to retain.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing SO. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is SO important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed the
projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that must
be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country needs.
Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state and, above
all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while this isn't a
perfect act, the great majority of the spending and its two key
thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing local reform
efforts are sound and essential and should be continued. Moreover,
cancellation of this effort would be a terribly serious setback to
this nation's educational reform effort.
-2-
Mike, I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there
are other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions
to, I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Connie Mack
United States Senate
517 Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Mack:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
General Offices
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable John Glenn
United States Senate
503 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear John,
I'd like to go into more detail beyond the copy of the note I sent
you which I had sent on to Bill Koberg. I spent yesterday in
Washington on the subject of education, most importantly, on the
Goals 2000 Act.
I would like to again amplify why I feel this is a piece of
legislation that we ought to retain.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing SO. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed the
projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that must
be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country needs.
Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state and, above
all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while this isn't a
perfect act, the great majority of the spending and its two key
thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing local reform
efforts are sound and essential and should be continued. Moreover,
cancellation of this effort would be a terribly serious setback to
this nation's educational reform effort.
-2-
John, I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there
are other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions
to, I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
General Offices
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable Michael DeWine
United States Senate
140 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Mike,
I'd like to go into more detail beyond the copy of the note I sent
you which I had sent on to Bill Koberg. I spent yesterday in
Washington on the subject of education, most importantly, on the
Goals 2000 Act.
I would like to again amplify why I feel this is a piece of
legislation that we ought to retain.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed the
projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that must
be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country needs.
Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state and, above
all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while this isn't a
perfect act, the great majority of the spending and its two key
thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing local reform
efforts are sound and essential and should be continued. Moreover,
cancellation of this effort would be a terribly serious setback to
this nation's educational reform effort.
-2-
Mike, I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there
are other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions
to, I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
General Offices
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Honorable Robert Portman
House of Representatives
238 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Rob,
Thanks for your reply to the copy of the note I sent you which I had
sent on to Bill Koberg. I spent yesterday in Washington on the
subject of education, most importantly, on the Goals 2000 Act.
I would like to again amplify why I feel this is a piece of
legislation that we ought to retain.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing SO. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed the
projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that must
be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country needs.
Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state and, above
all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while this isn't a
perfect act, the great majority of the spending and its two key
thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing local reform
efforts are sound and essential and should be continued. Moreover,
cancellation of this effort would be a terribly serious setback to
this nation's educational reform effort.
-2-
Rob, I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there
are other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions
to, I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Slade Gorton
United States Senate
730 Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Gorton:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Judd Gregg
United States Senate
393 Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Gregg:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Thad Cochran
United States Senate
326 Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Cochran:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing SO. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. James Jeffords
United States Senate
513 Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Jeffords:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
Procter&Gamble
JOHN E. PEPPER
General Offices
Chairman of the Board and
September 8, 1995
The Procter & Gamble Company
Chief Executive
One Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3315
The Hon. Ted Stevens
United States Senate
522 Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Stevens:
I am writing you on a subject to which I have devoted more of my
effort over the past decade than any other apart from my family and
my work, and that is public education.
Specifically, I am writing to share my strong convictions with you
on the importance of the continued funding of Goals 2000. I know
you have been a strong long-term supporter of public education. I
know that the 1996 U.S. House of Representatives appropriations
bill as it now stands would not include funding for this program.
I think this would be a tragic mistake.
There are two major things which this legislation does which are
absolutely imperative.
The first of these is to establish at the national and state level
standards of achievement that our children must meet in order to be
competitive with children graduating from schools in other global
economies. You and I both know that there is great truth to the
saying that you "get what you measure". We are still in the early
stages of communicating to the American public and, indeed, to many
in the educational community, the importance of meeting high
standards and taking accountability for doing so. Failure to
continue the Goals 2000 Act/Educate America Act would represent a
tremendous setback to this effort.
The second part of this legislation that is so important is the
stimulus that it is providing to the states and communities to
accelerate their reform efforts. I understand that 48 states have
received first year Goals 2000 funds. I have personally reviewed
the projects that are being funded in Ohio. Several of them are in
Cincinnati. While no one of them will be a magic panacea, they are
grass roots efforts that can become breakthrough success models.
-2-
Goals 2000 is, of course, only a part of the massive effort that
must be placed to achieve the educational improvements our country
needs. Most of what needs to be done must be done at the state
and, above all, local levels. However, I firmly believe that while
this isn't a perfect act, the great majority of the spending and
its two key thrusts on establishing measures and supplementing
local reform efforts are sound and essential and should be
continued. Moreover, cancellation of this effort would be a
terribly serious setback to this nation's educational reform
effort.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If there are
other individuals you think I should communicate my convictions to,
I would appreciate your letting me know who they are.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
J. E. PEPPER
CC Mr. J. T. Gorman
FROM THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
(TUE) 09. 12 95 17:38/ST. 17:34/NO. 3560662505 P 3/5
John W. Snow
1615 L Street, N.W.
Chairman
Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20036-5610
Jerry R. Junkins
(202) 872-1260 FAX (202) 466-3509
Cochairman
Samuel L. Maury
Ralph S. Larsen
President
Cochairman
Edgar S. Woolard, Jr.
Patricia Hanahan Engman
Cochairman
September 8, 1995
Executive Director
TO THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE EDUCATION INITIATIVE STATE LEAD CEOS
and MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION TASK FORCE
Last month, the House of Representatives zeroed out fiscal '96 funding for the "Goals
2000: Educate America Act." It will now be up to the Senate to restore all or part of
the President's $750 million budget request if this key reform program is to continue.
The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will take action on this issue
next week (September 13-14). Given the importance of this program to the
Roundtable's state level education reform initiative, I would like to ask you to
consider contacting Subcommittee Chairman Arlen Specter and other members of the
Senate (attached) to express your support for continued funding for Goals for the 1996
fiscal year. We believe that the current 1995 fiscal year appropriation of
$372 million would keep the program funded at a level that would adequately
support the efforts that are on-going within each of the 47 states that have elected to
participate.
I am pleased to report that the Roundtable approved supporting this effort at its
September 6 Policy Committee meeting. As a result of this action, you also will be
receiving a letter from John Snow on this issue, as well as other actions that were
taken at the meeting.
I am attaching a copy of a brief fact sheet on Goals 2000 in order to help you
communicate your support for this important program.
Please give me a call if you have any questions.
Sincerely
Gae Joseph T. Gorman
Chairman, Education Task Force
and
Chairman and CEO
TRW Inc.
ITG/soh
attachments
cc: Staff Designees
BUSINESS COALITION
FOR EDUCATION REFORM
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
SUITE 700
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20005
(202) 289-2888
May 10, 1995
Honorable William F. Goodling
Chairman
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington. D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Business Coalition for Education Reform believes that higher academic standards are
crucial to the nation's education reform efforts and to the ultimate success of every child in
school. We have aggressively supported bipartisan legislation in Congress for this purpose and
have been actively engaged in advancing reform in nearly every state.
During the 102nd Congress, the Coalition worked for the enactment of President Bush's America
2000 proposal. Last year, we stood behind the enactment of President Clinton's Goals 2000:
Educate America Act. During the debate on these proposals, our interest focused on two issues:
First, the need to establish higher academic standards for all students, and, second, to provide
states with financial assistance that would either accelerate the education reform already
underway, or help jump-start new, comprehensive education improvements.
New legislation has been introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 1045, H.R. 977)
and in the Senate (S. 323, S. 469) to amend Goals 2000. We continue to support the underlying
principles for reform contained in the Act, but believe that the provisions creating the National
Education Standards and Improvement Council (NESIC) and opportunity-to-learn standards
could be eliminated. We continue to support the role of the federal government in providing
leadership as well as creating incentives for states to set high academic standards for what
students should know and be able to do.
AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL
BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM
THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE CONFERENCE BOARD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BUSINESS COALITION FOR EDUCATION REFORM
PAGE 2
Most member companies within our Coalition agree that education quality continues to be a
national issue and a national problem, with serious potential consequences for our economic
future and social strength. Consequently, we believe that there is an appropriate role for national
leadership in benchmarking knowledge and skills, such as performing an information
clearinghouse function, or providing advice, analysis, or technical assistance upon request that
would help states understand how they compare to the best in the world. We also believe that it
is inappropriate for the federal government to dictate or control education decisions that are state
and local concerns.
Standards for knowledge and skills are used already by employers every day in the marketplace.
They are used for hiring and promoting people, and continue to change rapidly in a competitive
world economy. Our youth will continue to pay the price if we fail to articulate clear expectations
for knowledge and competence. Young people with high school diplomas may think that they
have a passport to the future, but too few are qualified for employment against the high standards
required in the global economy. The stark reality is that youth who cannot perform against high
workplace expectations are not going to be employed.
As you proceed with legislation to amend the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, we strongly
urge you to ensure that states be given the national support they need to move their reforms
forward with high benchmarks for educational excellence.
Sincerely,
American Business Conference
Black Business Council
The Business Roundtable (Coalition co-chair)
Chamber of Commerce of the United States
National Alliance of Business (Coalition co-chair)
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Women Business Owners
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(Coalition participants not having specific policies on this issue or otherwise unable to sign include: Business-Higher
Education Forum, Committee for Economic Development, and The Conference Board)
12/12 '95 13:06
ID:DISTRICT 31
FAX:708-272-4818
PAGE
2
DEC-12-1995 09:37 FROM SUPI OFFICE DIST 225
TO
92724818 P.02
WASHINGTON DEFICE
JOHN EDWARD PORTER
2972 RAYBURN house OFFICE BUILDING
10TH DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
WASHINGTON, DC 20615-1310
(202) 226-4835
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
HOME OFFICES:
SUBCOMMITTEES:
102 WILMOT ROAD
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
SUITE 200
DEERFIELD. IL 80015-0100
LABOR. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
AND EDUCATION
Congress of the United States
(708) 940-0202
-
18 NORTH COUNTY STREET
MINITANY CONSTRUCTION
house of Representatives
601. A COUNTY BUILDING
COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND
WAUKEGAN, IL 60086-4339
COOPERATION IN EUROPE
(700) 602-0101
CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN
@Hashington, DC 20515-1310
115 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
HIGHTS CAUCUS
SUITE 104
CO-CLAIMAN
December 8, 1995
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, # 60004-m62
Dr. Jean McGrew
(708) 362-0303
Superintendent of Schools
Glenbrook TWP H.S. Dist. 225
1835 Landwehr Road
Glenview, IL 60025
Dear Jean:
I received your communication regarding the 1st in the World Consortlum. I am very proud of the
work that you are doing.
As I believe you know, I have written in Secretary Riley to request the Department's continued
support for the work of 1st in the World Consortium and for its help in Initiating the administering
the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) to the Consortium's students. I have
enclosed a copy of my letter and the Secretary's response.
Regarding appropriations for Goals 2000, as you know the allocation my Subcommittee received for
drafting the annual appropriations bill for the departments of Education. Health & Human Services,
and Labor and related agencies was reduced by $9.3 billion, or 13%, below the fiscal year enacted
level. Consequently, the House did not include any funding for Goals 2000. The Senate Jid not
require the same level of reductions in programs under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, providing
approximately $1.5 billion more for these activities. The Senate Subcommittee provided $310 million
for GOALS 2000. However, for reasons other than funding level concerns, the full Senate has been
unable to bring the appropriations bill up for consideration. Once the Senate's version of the
appropriations bill is adopted by the full Senate, a House-Senate Conference Committee will meet to
reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill and negotiate a final bill which can be
sent to the President. The President is requesting Goals 2000 funding in his budget negotiations with
the Congress, and I therefore believe that the final legislation that is sent to the President will include
funding for Goals 2000.
I appreciate your contacting me regarding the Consortium's agenda, and I hope you will continue to
feel free to contact me whenever issues of concern to you come before the Congress.
Sincerely,
ohn Edward Porter
JEP:sec
Member of Congress
Enclosures
THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLED IKEMS
TOTAL P.02
BUSINESS COALITION
FOR EDUCATION REFORM
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE. NW
SUITE 700
WASHINGTON, DC 20005
(202) 289-2888
October 12, 1993
Honorable William D. Ford
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Ford:
As the House prepares to consider Goals 2000: Educate America Act, H.R. 1804, the
Business Coalition would like to commend the Committee for its progress in addressing
many concerns of the business community raised in our earlier letter and urge bipartisan
support for the bill. The Committee amendments will help to ensure systemic education
reform remains a truly bipartisan and bottoms up process. The business community
continues to believe supporting systemic education reform efforts, through the appropriate
federal framework, is vital to ensuring our long term global competitiveness.
The release of the 1993 National Education Goals Panel report, and its finding that our
nation's progress in achieving the education goals is wholly inadequate, demonstrates once
again how critical it is for the federal government to encourage and assist in the development
of voluntary, national standards describing what all children should know and be able to do.
By any measure, the United States is continuing to fall behind its international competitors
and its imperative we reverse this trend if the American economy is going to thrive. The
bill's emphasis on comprehensive reform, high standards for all children, and world class
occupational standards to guide workers and education and training programs is a significant
step in securing the nation's future economic vitality.
Similarly, we believe identifying and establishing the appropriate federal role in supporting
systemic education reform must be undertaken with great care. As you are well aware,
public education is still primarily a state and local responsibility, and most of the successful
systemic reform efforts have been undertaken either by states or communities acting on their
own without any federal support. Ultimately, any legislation must be mindful not to deter or
discourage these ongoing efforts. These are the efforts the business community is most
directly involved with and we will not support any bill which, in our view, undermined state
or local prerogatives in stimulating systemic reform strategies.
AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL
THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Business Coalition for Education Reform
page 2
Opportunity to learn standards, if not carefully crafted, have the potential to become an
impediment to school reform by unduly restricting state and local authority. Opportunity to
learn standards have a legitimate role in systemic reform, but we believe, as did the National
Council on Educational Standards & Testing (NCEST), their development should be left to
the states. Therefore, in order to clarify and reinforce the appropriate federal role of
opportunity to learn standards in supporting systemic reform efforts, we will encourage the
House to include language in the bill to reinforce state, local and school flexibility in
designing its own curriculum and instruction without being unduly restricted by unnecessary
federal mandates or controls. We believe this will give states and communities the assurance
they need that Goals 2000 is designed to be an incentive to systemic reform, not an
impediment.
Additionally, we are also encouraged by the progress being made on Title IV, the national
skill standards board. We believe H.R. 1804 goes a long way in clarifying the role and
functions of the national skill standards board. However, we continue to believe if skill
standards are to be implemented successfully, business must play a leadership role on the
Board. During conference we will be working to ensure the principle of business leadership
is contained in the final legislation. We hope that the progress that has already been made
on Title IV in the House and Senate will help facilitate these deliberations.
We believe that the Congress and the President have a significant opportunity to enact
groundbreaking education reform legislation this year and we are hopeful that any remaining
differences can be quickly resolved in conference. We hope the House deliberations and
vote on Goals 2000 will reflect the true bipartisanship in which this bill was originally
developed. We commend you for your efforts in passing meaningful education reform
legislation and look forward to working with you throughout conference.
Sincerely,
A.H.Kalhung William H. Kolberg
President
National Alliance of Business
Co-chair
cc: House Education and Labor Committee
BUSINESS COALITION
FOR EDUCATION REFORM
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
SUITE 700
WASHINGTON, DC 20005
(202) 289-2888
November 1, 1993
The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
Chairman
Committee on Labor and
Human Resources
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
As the Senate prepares to consider Goals 2000: Educate America Act, S. 1150, the Business
Coalition would like to reiterate its strong endorsement of the bill and urge all members of
the Senate to give the bill their full support. We also commend the Senate for including
Committee amendments which help to further strengthen and clarify the appropriate federal
role in supporting systemic reform efforts by ensuring state and local flexibility. The
Business Coalition firmly believes supporting systemic education reform efforts, through the
proper federal framework, is vital to ensuring our long term global competitiveness.
We believe the principles on which the bill is based provides the Senate with a unique
opportunity for bipartisan support of education reform legislation, and we would urge you to
support these principles as the legislation moves forward in Congress. First, the bill's
emphasis on results and a performance-based education system is critical to the nation's
ability to compete in the new global marketplace. We applaud the legislation's focus on
goals, results and high standards. Establishing a federal role in developing a voluntary
national system of education content standards and assessments to help guide states, schools,
teachers, parents, and students is vital as is preserving the primary role and responsibility of
states to lead education reform. The Senate bill strikes a careful balance between nationally
desired results and state and local flexibility to design the appropriate instructional programs
for individual communities.
We also want to stress that the Business Coalition believes it is necessary to ensure that every
student has a fair opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skill levels contained in content
and performance standards, but we do not believe the development of opportunity to learn
standards should, in any way, delay the development of voluntary national standards and
AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL
BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM
THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE CONFERENCE BOARD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Business Coalition for Education Reform
page 2
assessments. Many members of the Business Coalition have made a strong commitment to
spearheading education reform initiatives across the country, and our experiences in these
efforts have taught us that states should not be distracted from the need to focus on results
and standards by costly prescriptive federal mandates that will inhibit local flexibility and
creativity.
We also believe the importance of codifying the six National Education Goals and continuing
the work of the bipartisan National Education Goals Panel should not be underestimated.
Building a broad bipartisan consensus for systemic education reform is critical to parents and
educators who are struggling to understand what students should know and be able to do.
Business and community leaders across the nation have accepted the six national education
goals and incorporated them into their education reform efforts. We believe it is important
to maintain continuity in achieving education reform and the six national education goals
serve as an important symbol of this commitment. Therefore, we would urge the Senate not
to amend the goals.
Finally, although some of our Coalition members do not have formal policy statements
approved yet on Title V, the national skill standards board, we feel the modifications made to
Title V to ensure business plays a leadership role on the Board have addressed the early
reservations we have previously expressed. We commend the Senate for its bipartisan
compromise on skill standards.
Overall, we believe that the Senate version of Goals 2000: Educate America Act makes an
important contribution to ensuring that American public education is second to none and to
providing all children with the necessary competencies for success in an increasingly
competitive world marketplace. We hope that the Senate's action will reflect true
bipartisanship and support for meaningful systemic education reform throughout the nation.
Sincerely,
W.Halberg Kolberg
Jackson,
President
Director, Governmental Affairs
National Alliance of Business
TRW, Co-Chair
Co-Chair, Business Coalition
Business Coalition
cc:
Senate and Labor Human Resources Committee
Senate Leadership
BUSINESS COALITION
FOR EDUCATION REFORM
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE. NW
SUITE 700
WASHINGTON, DC 20005
(202) 289-2888
March 14, 1994
Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
Honorable William D. Ford
Chairman
Chairman
Committee on Labor and
Committee on Education and Labor
Human Resources
U.S. House of
United States Senate
Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairmen:
As the House and Senate prepare for conference on the Goals 2000: Educate America Act,
S. 1150 and H.R. 1804, we would like, once again, to reiterate our strong endorsement of
the bill and to urge passage of the conference report by March 25, 1994. The $105 million
appropriated in fiscal year 1994 for Goals 2000 is a critical resource to states who are
struggling already to implement systemic education reform programs. This money is vital to
ensure that current efforts continue and that other states begin to develop systemic reform
strategies. The Business Coalition for Education Reform firmly believes that supporting
systemic education reform efforts, through an appropriate federal framework, is vital to
ensuring our long term economic strength.
This legislation's investments in systemic reform, voluntary academic standards for all
children, and world class occupational standards to guide workers and education and training
programs, are significant steps toward building a world class work force which can provide
enduring economic opportunity. Academic standards in combination with a coherent system
of skill standards can increase the economic competitiveness of the United States. The
educational competencies and skills gained by students in preparation for the demands of the
modern world would reflect the changing needs of the workplace and would equal or exceed
the workforce skills of our global competitors.
We recognize that opportunity-to-learn standards have a legitimate role in systemic education
reform, but we believe, as did the bipartisan National Council on Education Standards and
Testing, that their development should be left to the states. Although the federal government
should support these efforts nationwide, they should not be mandated federally. Federally
AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM
THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE CONFERENCE BOARD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Business Coalition for Education Reform
page 2
mandated opportunity-to-leam standards, with an emphasis on process and inputs rather than
on progress and outcomes, undermines the foundation of a performance-driven education
system based on academic standards and assessments. The conference agreement should
support federal research, technical assistance and capacity building to help states develop
strategies for ensuring students have an equitable opportunity to learn, but the primary focus
of this legislation and the federal government should be on establishing education standards
and assessments that reflect the competencies needed for success in the modern world.
Measuring a student's knowledge and skill is another critical priority for us. Although the
House and Senate bills both would develop reliable assessments, only the Senate bill allows
assessments to be used for such judgements as grade promotion or graduation within the
bill's authorization period. Waiting for the life of the bill to expire before assessments can
be used for any significant purpose or consequence defeats their intent. States and localities
would not develop assessments if they were required to wait five years under federal law
before using them for any accountability in an education system. We strongly urge you to
adopt the Senate provisions for a shorter waiting period.
The successful development of skill standards proposed in this legislation depends on strong
business leadership throughout the process. It is essential the conferees adopt the Senate
provisions regarding the composition of the National Skill Standards Board.
Enactment of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act is essential if we are to achieve the level
of educational excellence necessary to compete in today's highly competitive global
marketplace. We commend the Senate and the House for their leadership on this initiative,
and we urge swift and final enactment of a bipartisan compromise.
Sincerely,
William Kelberg H. Kolberg
Whiched
Michael Jackson
President and CEO
Director, Government Relations
National Alliance of Business
TRW Inc., Chairman, The Business
Co-Chair, Business Coalition
Roundtable Education Task Force
Working Group, Co-Chair, Business
Coalition
cc:
House and Senate conferees