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

This is a Working Document
The Seven Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education (July 1997)

Priority Seven:
Every School Will Be Strong, Safe, Drug-Free and Disciplined

Importance of Priority Seven

Children cannot learn to high standards in schools that are overwhelmed by violence, drug use or facilities in disrepair. Priority seven aims to ensure strong and healthy school environments where children can learn best and achieve to their potential. School environment encompasses the culture of the school, the physical surroundings of the school, and the school's health and safety. Essential pillars of strong and healthy learning environments are: (1) schools that are structurally sound and conducive to learning; (2) schools that are safe, orderly, and free from drugs; and, (3) public school choice which allows parents to choose the best school for their children based on their individual differences. Respecting individual student differences and recognizing their varying strengths, interests and learning styles, in fact, is a central element of a positive environment. Priority seven incorporates three major areas -- school construction, safe and drug-free schools, and charter schools.

Importance of School Construction

As America moves into the 21st century, our schools should too. If schools are ill-prepared for the future, our students will be too. Today, however, too many of our nation's schools, many built 50 or more years ago, are increasingly run-down, overcrowded and technologically ill-equipped. According to a report of the General Accounting Office (GAO), one-third of our schools need major repair or outright replacement; 60 percent need work on major building features such as a sagging roof, or a cracked foundation; and 46 percent lack even the basic electrical wiring to support computers, modems and modern communications technology. These problems occur all over America, in cities, suburbs and one-stoplight towns, and GAO estimates they will cost $112 billion to fix.⁽²⁰⁾ Record increases in student enrollments over the next ten years will only exacerbate these problems by necessitating 6,000 new schools.⁽²¹⁾

A growing body of research shows the connection between student achievement and behavior and physical building conditions and overcrowding. For example, a study of the District of Columbia school system found that, after controlling for other variables such as socioeconomic status, students' standardized achievement scores were lower in schools with poor building conditions than they were in strong and safe schools.⁽²²⁾ Studies of high schools in Virginia and North Dakota show similar relationships.⁽²³⁾ Physical conditions also appear to affect teacher morale and feelings of effectiveness in the classroom.⁽²⁴⁾

Strategy for Supporting School Construction

For these reasons, in March 1994, the Administration introduced new school construction legislation that would have been a one-time infusion of $5 billion to stimulate over $20 billion in school construction and renovation over the next four years. These funds would have paid for up to one-half the interest costs on school construction bonds or similar financing mechanisms. Although the recent budget agreement failed to include funds for this proposal, the Administration is exploring alternative ways to spur school repairs and construction in sites across the nation. This includes a new schools' facilities clearinghouse, to be awarded in August 1997, which will compile information on best practices on school design and school facility finances, convene conferences on school construction and provide referral service.

Importance of Safe and Drug-Free Schools

Modern and well-equipped facilities, however, are not sufficient to create strong and supportive learning environments. Schools must be safe and drug-free. While most schools are, a number in all parts of the country are experiencing problems with violence, alcohol and drug use. We know, for example, that for the fifth straight year, eighth-grade drug use has increased, with children first using marijuana at younger ages.⁽²⁵⁾ Nearly three million thefts and violent crimes take place on or near school campuses each year. And from 1994 to 1996, 85 homicides and 20 other violent deaths occurred at school.⁽²⁶⁾

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, this climate of violence profoundly affects student learning.

Strategy for Supporting Safe and Drug-Free Schools

Reflecting the importance of priority seven, the President has requested a $59 million increase in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program in FY98 (FY1997 funding was nearly $531 million). The President, however, has emphasized that programs should reflect effective practices and be regularly evaluated and improved if they are not working. This will require expanding the research base on the most effective strategies to reduce drug use and violence among school-age children and the best ways to implement those strategies. To provide students additional safe havens after school where learning can continue to occur, the President has also requested $50 million to help communities keep their schools open longer as After-School Learning Centers.

Importance of Choice and Charter Schools

A long-time supporter of public school choice, the President believes that parents should not have to send their children to schools that do not provide high-quality education. Therefore, parents and teachers who do not believe their public schools are meeting high standards -- or their own expectations for how children ought to be taught -- should have the right to send their child to another public school and even apply for a charter and public funds to create a new school.

Charter schools have been identified by the President as an important tool for improving the learning environment. Charter schools, typically founded by parents, teachers and communities, are exempted from most rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for improving student achievement. Five years ago, only one charter school existed in America. Today, there are more than 400, with half of the states having charter school laws. Charter schools can provide more choices for families and more opportunities for innovation and public-spirited entrepreneurialism in education. While charter schools may either be new or converted from an existing public school, most tend to be small, led by strong leaders and responsive to the needs and involvement of students and families.

Strategy for Supporting Charter Schools

The Clinton Administration is committed to increasing the number of charter schools from 400 to 3,000 by the year 2000 by: (1) expanding start-up funds; (2) promoting excellence; and (3) ensuring equity.

Expanding Start-up Funds. The 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act contained a new program to fund the creation of charter schools. The President's 1998 budget seeks $100 million in funding for the Charter Schools program to support planning and start-up costs for up to 1,100 schools. The Administration is also working to expand the number of states with laws supporting the formation of charter schools.
Promoting excellence. Increasing the number of charter schools cannot be the only goal. New charter schools must promote high-quality teaching and learning. The Department will support regional meetings, guidebooks, summer institutes, and a World Wide Web Site to help local teams of parents, teachers, and others develop successful charter schools.
Ensuring equity. The Administration requires charter schools that receive federal funding to demonstrate adherence to key principles of equity. The schools must: be public and non sectarian; be free of charge; be open to all students; admit students on a lottery basis; comply with civil rights laws; and meet all applicable Federal, state and local health and safety requirements.

The Department will ensure that federal programs such as Title I of the ESEA and programs funded by the IDEA support charter schools nationwide. The Department also is committed to providing parents and teachers expanded options for tailoring educational opportunities for children, including public school choice, magnet schools, schools-within-schools, and redesigning and improving individual public schools.

End Notes:

General Accounting Office, School Facilities: Conditions of America's Schools, February 1995.
National Center for Educational Statistics, A Special Back-to-School Report: The Baby Boom Echo, August 1996.
Edwards, 1991.
Cash, 1993; Hines, 1996; Earthman 1995.
Corcoran et al. 1988.
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Monitoring the Future Study, 1996.
National Crime Prevention Council, Teens, Crime and Community, 1996.

Your comments on this document are invited, please send them to 7priorities@ed.gov.

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Last Updated -- July 30, 1997, (pjk)