The NY Times editorial cited below raises policy questions regarding the
potential impact of proposed federal legislation (Ed-Flex) on impoverished
schools -- Bob McLaughlin
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 13:49:32 -0500
From: Cait Clements <cclement@nassmc.org>
Subject: NASSMC Briefing Service: Threat to Improverished Schools
SOURCE: New York Times, 10 March 1999 (p. A18)
TITLE: "A Threat to Impoverished Schools"
WEBSITE: http://www.nytimes.com
A New York Times editorial warns that passage of the Ed-Flex bill scheduled
for a vote today on the Senate floor could widen the achievement gap
between affluent and disadvantaged children. By allowing states to apply
for waivers to spend Title I dollars any way they wish, Ed-Flex could
ultimately rob underfinanced districts of much-needed money for remedial
reading and math. In the poorest schools in the South, such funding can
account for more than a third of school spending. Moreover, the Times
notes, a General Accounting Office report concluded that Ed-Flex
experiments in 12 states have not been well handled and should not be
duplicated.
A Democratic amendment to Ed-Flex would grant waivers only to those states,
which employ serious assessment plans and show a commitment to closing the
achievement gaps. To pass Ed-Flex without also adopting that amendment, the
Times says, "would be socially irresponsible."
Forwarded from RA-EQUITY
Susan Carter
edequity-admin@mail.edc.org
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