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

   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Contact: Kathryn Kahler    August 2, 1994                                   (202) 401-3026

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY REGARDING SENATE PASSAGE OF THE IMPROVING AMERICA'S SCHOOLS ACT

The Senate's resounding 94-6 bipartisan passage today of the Improving America's Schools Act demonstrates significant progress toward ensuring that all of America's children, including our most disadvantaged, have equal access to a quality education.

Our proposal to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is absolutely integral to the Administration's education agenda, and I am pleased that the Senate has moved forward on this complex and very important piece of legislation.

The Senate has maintained the key principles of the President's proposal: upholding high standards for all children; a commitment to teaching and learning; flexibility to stimulate local initiatives for school reform and accountability; fostering connections among schools, parents, and communities; and better targeting our limited resources to where they are most needed.

I look forward to working with both the House and Senate conference committees as they work expeditiously to complete a bill with strong bipartisan support.

[ Home ]