(23 Jan 2001) English/Nat
XFA
Launching his first major initiative, U-S President George W Bush has unveiled his plan for education reform.
The president said his multi-billion U-S dollar plan to shape up America’s failing public schools is a top priority for his new administration.
As the first major policy initiative he sends to Capitol Hill, it’s also the first real political test of the White House and Congress.
Bush already faces a challenge from Democratic lawmakers, who are countering with
a reform plan of their own.
President Bush sought support from all circles on Tuesday – political, public and private – to back his plan to reform America’s ailing public education system.
It’s an effort to follow up on a key campaign pledge to offer the nation’s public schools a chance to improve with the help of new money, or risk losing federal funds to private schools.
It’s an effort he hopes will have support from both Republicans and Democrats.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“Both parties have been talking about education reform for quite a while. It’s time to come together to get it done, so that we can truthfully say in America no child will be left behind.”
SUPER CAPTION: George W Bush, US President
Bush knows this first major policy push is also the first test of his ability to build bipartisan support in the U-S Congress on a range of issues.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“I want to begin our discussion in detail with the members of the House and the Senate because I know we need to act by this summer, so that the people at the local level can take our initiatives and plan for the school year beginning next fall. I’m going to listen to suggestions from folks. If somebody’s got a better idea I hope they bring it forward.”
SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, U.S. President
Bush is hoping to bolster his education reform effort with the help of select Democrats.
He met Republican and Democratic lawmakers earlier at the White House, down playing divisive parts of the plan such as vouchers, and putting the focus on improving schools through choice.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“And I believe one of the most important consequences will be after a period of time, giving schools time to adjust and districts time to try different things if they’re failing, that parents ought to be given different options.”
SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, US President
One of those senior Democrats came out of that meeting willing to focus on areas of common ground.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“The areas in which he pointed out where we are in agreement I thought were very substantial and are out there and can make a very important difference.”
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Edward Kennedy, Democrat, Massachusetts
But other Democrats say the first test for the Bush plan is almost sure to be over vouchers.
Under the plan, failing public schools have three years to improve before federal funds are stripped for other uses, such as the vouchers.
The former U-S vice presidential candidate says the Bush plan will abandon schools that can and should be saved.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“We are very focused in this bill on redeeming the promise of that initial federal Education Act of 1965, which is to uniquely help children (the) poorest school districts, in low income areas, urban and rural. And we haven’t really achieved that goal. We have targeting in this bill to make that happen, the Bush proposal does not.”
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Joe Lieberman, Democrat, Connecticut
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