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

   FOR RELEASE                         Contact:  Melinda Kitchell    February 15, 1995                               (202) 401-1008

Oregon is First With Goals 2000 Reform Plan

Oregon will be the first state to receive funding for a comprehensive state education reform plan under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley announced today.

With an approved school improvement plan, Oregon becomes the first state eligible to receive second-year Goals 2000 funding and waivers from regulations and statutory requirements that apply to other federal education programs. There are no federal regulations for Goals 2000.

Under the U.S. Department of Education's new "EdFlex" initiative, Oregon may become one of six demonstration states permitted to waive federal regulatory and statutory requirements from other programs that could impede reform efforts.

"Oregon has long been recognized as a leader in education reform efforts to improve teaching and learning for all students," Riley said in accepting the state's plan. "Approval of this first state plan is a milestone in the Goals 2000 effort and shows that states are moving forward to fulfill the promise of Goals 2000 -- to educate children to their greatest potential."

"The nation has turned its attention to school improvement," said Oregon State School Superintendent Norma Paulus, "and turned to Oregon as a leader."

The Goals 2000: Educate America Act provides resources to states and communities to develop and implement community- and school-based education reforms aimed at helping students reach challenging academic and occupational skill standards. To date, 44 states have elected to participate in Goals 2000 and have received first-year funding to develop a reform plan.

Highlights of Oregon's state school improvement plan include:

a legislative framework to improve teaching and learning, adopted and developed over 10 years and linked to a 20-year strategic vision for economic development;
an annual report card to measure state and school district progress toward meeting state and national education goals and to ensure accountability;
21st Century Schools Site Councils composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, students, community members and business leaders to help shape school improvement;
a waiver process that holds schools accountable for meeting clear and measurable standards of improved learning -- in exchange for flexibility;
restructuring grants to local school districts to build on existing reform efforts;
implementation of technology in classrooms;
opportunities for all children to learn through alternative learning sites, public school choice, special strategies for at-risk students; and,
a comprehensive School-to-Work Opportunities System.

Oregon will receive approximately $4,125,341 in fiscal year 1995 Goals 2000 funds to begin implementing the plan. The state received $1,024,176 in 1994 to develop a comprehensive reform plan.

The Oregon plan was reviewed by a review panel of educators from the across the country and was approved by Thomas Payzant, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education.

The Education Department also assists states by offering models of good practice and through other programs such as the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, the Improving America's Schools Act and the Safe Schools Act.

On Feb. 20, Riley will speak to Oregon legislators, business leaders and educators during a legislative forum to be held at Willamette University in Salem.