May 19, 1999
Web posted at: 12:12 p.m. EDT (1612 GMT)

WASHINGTON (May 19) -- Saying the government has to do a "far, far better job" with the $15 billion it sends to schools every year, President Bill Clinton announced he's sending Congress this week his blueprint for how to spend those funds.

"We know fundamentally that if we are going to change the way our schools work, we must change the way we invest federal aid in our schools," the president said Wednesday.

The president's proposal includes accountability measures that would require states and school districts to turn around or close failing schools. The plan also includes annual report cards for parents on how each school, school district and state schools as a whole are performing.

"No child should have to go to a failing school," said Education Secretary Richard Riley.

The plan proposes ending the practice of social promotion, not by holding students back, but by making sure they have the support to meet the higher standards.

Clinton's proposal boosts spending on after-school and summer school programs to $600 millio -- triple what Congress approved last fall.

It also calls for subject matter and skills tests for new teachers and works to make schools safer by requiring every school to have a comprehensive school safety plan, use proven anti-drug and anti-violence programs and give parents an annual report on gun, drug and violent incidents in their child's school.

Clinton said the measure will "preserve and enhance the flexibility that states and districts need to run successful schools."

"We know what works. Our schools, our educators have shown us what works," he said. "It is time to put that as a condition of success in the investment of federal aid in every child in America."

Riley said the measure will mean "real accountability for results."

Wednesday, May 19, 1999

• Gun control again heats up juvenile crime bill debate
• Bush remains ambivalent on key issues
• First lady to visit Israel in June; trip may have dual purpose
• Election 2000 briefs: News about Alexander, Quayle, Forbes
• Charges reinstated against Buddhist temple political fund-raiser
• President Clinton releases education plan
• House OKs $15 billion for Kosovo, storm victims, farmers
• Hastert favors raising legal age for handgun ownership
• Paula Jones' psychic future murky
• Few OK tax money for campaigns
• Helms praised on nominations
• Panel OKs Republican spending cuts plan
• Hillary Rodham Clinton dedicates National Gallery of Art sculpture garden
• Conservative Republicans eye third party
• President promotes funding to build new Penn Station in New York
• Gore's satellite proposal sparks political battle in House
• Government provides free Web search, for now
• Worker says Trie wanted her to get rid of papers
• Top senator foresees fall budget clash with Clinton
• Dismal ticket sales cancel Ferraro benefit with Clinton
• Former City Council president wins Philadelphia mayoral primary

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