September 2, 1999
Web posted at: 6:22 p.m. EDT (2222 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush said Thursday that his administration would require states to test disadvantaged students and proposed stripping federal funds from the worst-scoring schools and allowing private schools to get public money.

In his first major policy address on education, Bush criticized current federal education policy, saying it was a "sad story of high hopes, low achievement, grand plans and unmet goals." He said his education policy would require schools to have goals, standards, accountability, local control and competition.

"The only thing we know for sure is that federal money comes with a lot of regulations and paperwork," he said.

Gov. George W. Bush unveiled Thursday his plan for education reform

Under a Bush Administration, Bush said federal money withheld from schools that repeatedly fail state testing standards would follow students to better public schools, charter schools, tutoring or "whatever option parents choose" -- including private schools.

"But if a school with ample time to change continues to fail, there must be some final point of accountability, some moment of truth," he said. "In the best case, these schools will rise to the challenge and regain the confidence of parents. In the worst case, we will offer scholarships to America's neediest children, allowing them to get emergency help they should have. In any case, the federal government will no longer pay schools to cheat poor children."

The Texas governor never used the politically charged term "school voucher," but he entered the debate over vouchers as his proposals would allow federal money to go to private schools. "All monopolies are slow to reform when consumers have no power to express their frustration. In education, parents who have options have influence," he said.

Bush advisers said they expect the proposals to draw criticism from liberals and conservatives alike, a fact they say that would only underscore Bush's ability to find a middle ground that balances conservative principles with moderate policies and rhetoric.

Many Democrats oppose giving public money to private schools, saying it would undermine efforts to improve public schools and because many privates schools have religious affiliations. Republicans who advocate local control of schools may criticize the testing requirements but Bush emphasized that states would select the tests and administer them.

Bush's focus on poor students fits with his theme of compassionate conservatism, saying no child should be left behind. "Now some say it is unfair to hold disadvantaged children to rigorous standards. I say it is discrimination to require anything less, the soft bigotry of low expectations," he said.

Bush's proposal is aimed at the federal Title I program, which spends $7.7 billion a year to help educate poor children. The Education Department wants to increase the program to $8 billion to serve 12 million students in 44,000 schools.

Bush said he respected the commitment of Title 1 and plans to continue but added, "I do not respect poor results with public money."

Bush's plan calls for schools that receive Title I money to test its poor students on basic academics each year based on state standards. Schools that fail to meet state standards would receive a warning but after three years of no progress, the Title I funds would be matched with other federal education money and given to the state.

The state would use the money to establish an education account of about $1,500 a year. The student's parents would use the money for the education alternative of their choice.

Bush's proposal could have a huge impact on poor school systems -- particularly urban areas -- that rely on Title I money.

"We would be against a plan like this," said Reginald Felton, director of federal relations for the National School Boards Association. He said money given to personal education accounts would leave the rest of the school system shortchanged. "The objective is to raise the academic achievement of all students."

Bush is planning to deliver two more education policy speeches this fall, and aides say he is mulling over other ways to use federal money to force accountability from schools.

Bush also proposed transferring the $4.4 billion Head Start program from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Education Department, as the program was originally created to prepare disadvantaged pre-schoolers for school. "Head Start will be an education program, first and foremost," he said.

Bush said that local centers will be subject to independent evaluations to ensure that the children are being successfully taught. If not, the operation of the Head Start site would be put out for competitive bid from other groups, including churches, synagogues and community groups, Bush said.

"These children deserve the opportunities found in many private preschools with trained teachers and high expectations and this can all be done without sacrificing Head Start's important social and medical services," he said.

Vice President Al Gore, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, has promised to create unlimited access to pre-school if he became president. With polls showing education as the top voter concern, Gore traveled to Texas on Wednesday to question Bush's education record as governor.

His spokesman, Chris Lehane, criticized Bush for supporting congressional tax cuts that Democrats say will force school spending reductions.

"Any Republican presidential candidate who is supporting a risky tax cut that would hurt our children -- especially in areas like Head Start and Title I -- has little credibility talking about education," Lehane said. "Sound like the Texas two-step to me."

Bush spokeswoman Mindy Tucker replied: "Governor Bush has shown in Texas that you can cut taxes and make education a top priority."

Texas test scores have risen during Bush's tenure, and the gap between the scores of whites and minorities has closed. However, Texas students' scores on SAT college entrance exams still lag behind the national average. He has failed to push a school voucher bill through the Texas legislature.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Thursday, September 2, 1999

• Bush lays out education reform plan
• First family buys a house
• White House responds to criticism of clemency offer
• Clintons wind up vacation of fun and fund raising
• GOP chairman asks to meet with Buchanan
• Cold War film gave Bradley a bit part in U.S. propaganda
• On Bush turf, Gore criticizes Texas governor on education
• Forbes campaign purchases rights to Forbes-Jeb Internet names
• Clinton legal fund tries to tap unlikely donor -- Lewinsky's father

• Smith continuing his independent presidential bid
• Poll: Bradley climbing in New Hampshire
• DeWine endorses McCain

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