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

       FOR RELEASE                                             Contact: Rick Miller     August 8, 1996                                                   (202) 401-3026

Forty-Nine States Opt for Streamlined Application for Federal K-12 Education Funds; Less Paperwork, Better Coordination

"We're cutting burdensome paperwork, setting an example for states to look at education with a comprehensive approach, and helping states to use federal support to advance local efforts to improve teaching and learning," Tirozzi said.

"Our aim is to help states focus on improving student achievement for all children -- children whose educational needs don't necessarily fall into distinct categories under existing programs. I urge those who manage education programs in states and communities to work together to coordinate programs, and to use federal resources to foster better schools."

Tirozzi said consolidated plans are designed to help states consider how federal programs can work together and in tandem with states and local education improvement activities. By coordinating and integrating federal programs with state and local reform efforts, states can maximize their potential to improve student achievement, discipline, and teaching.

The new authority, to allow states the option of submitting one plan instead of several, was part of the Improving America's Schools Act, which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in October 1994.

States may include any federal program that can be integrated with state and local activities. However, only state formula grant programs authorized under the Improving America's Schools Act (including Title I, Even Start, Migrant Education, the Eisenhower Teacher Professional Development Program, Safe and Drug free Schools, Title VI), and the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program and selected programs under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act may be funded on the basis of the consolidated plans.

In South Carolina, for example, the state consolidated plan calls for a "regulation rollback" to eliminate unnecessary state regulations that can tie the hands of local communities that seek to reorganize schools to raise student achievement. The state's aim is to reduce some of the barriers schools may face as they integrate federal, state and local education programs.

The U.S. Department of Education has approved state plans for 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. All states, except Utah, elected to develop and submit a consolidated plan. Utah has opted to use the previous program approach.

The department will issue nearly $8 billion in fiscal year 1996 elementary and secondary grant awards for the 1996 and 1997 school year, in response to the plans.

-###-