Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, October 22, 1999

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan October 22, 1 999 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Announces Passage of Bill to Improve Academic Achievement and Opportunity "Straight A’s" Returns Dollars and Decisions to Those Who Know Our Children Best Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced a major victory for improving education with the passage of H.R. 2300, the Academic Achievement for All Act (Straight A’s). This major Republican education initiative raises student academic achievement by allowing states and local school districts more freedom in deciding how to spend federal education money in exchange for demonstrated improvement in student performance. Congressman Ehrlich stated, "The Academic Achievement for All Act is a great step toward securing a brighter future for America’s schoolchildren. For too long, the federal government has measured the success of its education programs by how many bureaucrats were hired and how many reports were filled out. This program changes that by measuring success in terms of student achievement. It emphasizes guaranteed results instead of empty promises." The bill allows up to 1 0 states to set their educational standards over a five-year period. In exchange for a commitment to meet those standards, states will be given complete freedom to spend virtually every federal education dollar they receive in ways that best meet their students’ needs. Straight A's also rewards schools with additional funds if they improve the test scores of the lowest achieving children by more than 25%. Congressman Ehrlich pointed out, "Straight A’s will provide new opportunities to disadvantaged and under-performing students. These kids deserve a shot at fulfilling their dreams. The old Washington-knows-best-approach has failed them. Instead, Straight A’s will give them the opportunities they deserve." ###