Hey Harry. Are you sure this is correct? I read that the plan says if schools fail, funding goes directly to parents. And that is based on mandated tests. Federal funding is nothing new though, right? And is anyone suffering under the illusion that Bush wants to govern as if the Constitution were strictly construed? I don't know where they could have gotten the idea. He has promised to nominate judges who are strict contructionists, which is a good thing. What I recall GW promising in education was more accountability and better results. I don't recall him putting any limit on how he would accomplish that.
One more thing: What is Alan Keyes expertise in the area of education? What are his qualifications? I don't have any problem with harsh criticism of the Bush education plan, but it would carrry a lot more weight with me if it came from someone whose profession is education, whose background and training is education, who could reference real data or studies, rather than just hearing rhetoric from someone who clearly has a political agenda. FWIW. So, what is the point, anyway? He was still a better choice than Gore. There is tangible proof of that. But he is not a "true" Conservative, which should suprise no one.
SEC. 8512. SCHOOL PRAYER.`As a condition for receipt of funds under this Act, a local educational agency shall certify in writing to the Secretary that no policy of the agency prevents or otherwise denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.
`SEC. 8513. GENERAL PROHIBITIONS.
`(a) PROHIBITION- None of the funds authorized under this Act shall be used--
`(1) to develop or distribute materials, or operate programs or courses of instruction directed at youth that are designed to promote or encourage, sexual activity, whether homosexual or heterosexual;
`(2) to distribute or to aid in the distribution by any organization of legally obscene materials to minors on school grounds;
`(3) to provide sex education or HIV prevention education in schools unless such instruction is age appropriate and emphasizes the health benefits of abstinence; or
`(4) to operate a program of contraceptive distribution in schools.
`(b) LOCAL CONTROL- Nothing in this section shall be construed to--
`(1) authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to direct, review, or control a State, local educational agency, or schools' instructional content, curriculum, and related activities;
`(2) limit the application of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C.A. 1221 et seq.);
`(3) require the distribution of scientifically or medically false or inaccurate materials or to prohibit the distribution of scientifically or medically true or accurate materials; or
`(4) create any legally enforceable right.
`SEC. 8514. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL MANDATES, DIRECTION, AND CONTROL.
`(a) GENERAL PROHIBITION- Officers and employees of the Federal Government are prohibited from mandating, directing, or controlling a State, local educational agency, or school's curriculum, program of instruction, or allocation of State or local resources, or mandating a State or any subdivision thereof to spend any funds or incur any costs not paid for under this Act.
`(b) PROHIBITION OF FEDERAL MANDATES, DIRECTION, OR CONTROL- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school's specific instructional content or academic achievement standards and assessments, curriculum, or program of instruction as a condition of eligibility to receive funds under this Act.
`(c) EQUALIZED SPENDING- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate equalized spending per pupil for a State, local educational agency, or school.
`(d) BUILDING STANDARDS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate national school building standards for a State, local agency, or school.
So Sayeth the PrescientOne...MUD