Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 9, 1994 TAG: 9402090211
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press note: below
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
``These bills will benefit America's most valuable resource - our children,'' said Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Maine. He predicted the result would be ``a better country, both from an economic and social perspective.''
The Senate voted 71-25 in favor of the Goals 2000 bill, the centerpiece of the administration's legislative agenda for education.
The separate School-to-Work Opportunities Act, approved by a 62-31 vote, authorizes $300 million in state grants for partnerships between high schools and businesses to help students who do not go on to college.
``This is `hire education' that offers hands-on learning to help students envision and plan for the jobs of tomorrow,'' said Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., chief sponsor of the work-opportunity plan.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said Tuesday's action was a ``double-header victory for the Clinton administration and the American people.''
Labor Secretary Robert Reich noted that both measures passed with Republican support. ``There is no partisanship when it comes to schools, when it comes to kids,'' he said.
The Goals 2000 vote comes five years after the nation's governors and then-President Bush agreed to six national education goals. The legislation would write those goals into law. It also would finance efforts to develop voluntary national standards in key subject areas and provide $400 million in grants to states and local governments that want to reform their education programs.
The House passed similar legislation in November, and relatively minor differences are expected to be quickly worked out by conference committees.
by CNB