High School Reform Must be Driven by States & Local Communities, Governors Tell Congress

Governors Agree with President Bush on the Need for Stronger High Schools

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Testifying today before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, two prominent governors said strengthening high school education is a national priority, but one best accomplished at the state and local level.  Governors Mitt Romney (R) of Massachusetts and Tom Vilsack (D) of Iowa testified on efforts underway in their own states to reform high schools, as well as multi-state initiatives aimed at improving secondary education while maintaining state control.

Governors Romney and Vilsack applauded President Bush for calling attention to the need for high school reform, and outlined the steps being taken proactively by states to answer the president’s call and strengthen secondary education.

“If we are going to compete in the global economy, we have to set our education goals higher.  Gone are the days of a manufacturing-based economy when an eighth grade education was enough.  The new millennium demands a higher educational standard for our children, and the speed with which we reach that standard will define the future of this country,” said Governor Romney.

“If we are to remain the global leader in innovation, we must have a strong educational and research and development system at every level.  The attention that we have given to K-8 education over the last few years, and the attention that is now being given to early childhood education, provides the foundation for our high school and higher education systems.  Now, however, it is time to turn focused attention on high school reform – and ensure that the pipeline of students going from our high schools into our colleges and universities are ready to compete on a world stage in the critical areas of math and science,” continued Romney.

“The case for change in America’s high schools is well documented: the graduation rate is too low, too many students are struggling learners, and much of the curriculum needs to be revamped to better prepare our youth – not just to become employed, but also to be informed, compassionate and productive citizens,” said Governor Vilsack.

“Most states, including Iowa , have begun to address this issue by conducting comprehensive reviews of our curriculum, especially math and science, and aligning it with post secondary expectations. We also are examining the instruction methods to determine how best to reach all learners,” continued Vilsack.

“Although most high schools across America may agree on why they need to change and what they need to change, we must not attempt a one-size-fits-all solution for high school reform. Just as each student has very individual gifts and needs, each school and each district is unique in its strengths and challenges, and must be allowed to develop its own plan for action, reform and success. States look forward to working with Congress in developing a plan to support these local efforts,” said Vilsack.

BOEHNER PRAISES LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT BUSH AND NATION’S GOVERNORS ON HIGH SCHOOL REFORM

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) made the following statement at today’s hearing on state and local high school reform efforts:

Today is the first in a series of hearings our Committee will hold to examine state and local efforts to strengthen education at the high school level. 

In states and communities across America , there is growing concern about how well high schools are preparing young people to succeed.  Many governors have committed to finding ways to renew and reform secondary education.  Many in the private sector are joining this effort, sponsoring and implementing innovative programs in our schools that can foster success.  President Bush has outlined a plan that would expand the No Child Left Behind Act at the high school level to further support this goal.

I want to commend the President for putting the issue of high school reform on the national agenda.  This President has always been willing to challenge both political parties to do what he believes is needed for the good of American students and their schools.  The President’s proposal has sparked a healthy debate.  Parents, students, teachers, and taxpayers are the beneficiaries of that debate.

I’ve always believed the federal government’s role in education should be limited.  Some of my fellow conservatives give me a funny look when I say that, knowing I was the chairman of the committee that passed the President’s No Child Left Behind Act.  But No Child Left Behind was necessary and justified because the federal government was already spending billions of dollars a year on K-12 education before NCLB was enacted, and the federal government wasn’t demanding results for children in return. 

Today the debate focuses not on whether No Child Left Behind is needed, but on whether it should be expanded at the high school level.  And those are definitely two different issues.

We clearly need high schools that equip students with the knowledge they need to succeed after graduation, whether their next step is college or the workforce.  And it’s pretty clear that the current system isn’t getting the job done.  But that doesn’t necessarily mean the solution to the problem should be driven from Washington .  And it doesn’t necessarily mean No Child Left Behind ought to be expanded.

I’ll be perfectly frank: I’m a supporter of No Child Left Behind.  And because I’m a supporter, I have doubts about the idea of expanding it at this time.  I’m not sure we’re ready to require states to do more under No Child Left Behind at a time when some are still seeking, unfortunately, to do less.  I think we need to take a look at what states and communities are already doing proactively to transform high schools, and ask whether additional federal requirements are even justified.

A number of our nation’s governors have joined President Bush in calling for stronger high schools.  We’re honored to have two of them here with us today to talk about the things some states are doing on their own initiative to strengthen secondary education.   

While not all states and school districts are happy about No Child Left Behind, it’s notable that not a single state chose to join the National Education Association in its recent lawsuit against the law.  The Bush Administration has been doing its part as well, reaching out to the states and helping them make the No Child Left Behind Act a success.  Mr. Miller and I jointly thanked Secretary Spellings last month for this approach.  As we said in a joint statement: “Flexibility – applied consistently and fairly among the states – will quell a good deal of the controversy that surrounds the law and bring huge benefits to America ’s schools and students.”

This positive collaboration among the states and the federal government is the key to closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and non-disadvantaged students in our public schools.  This hard-won collaboration is still emerging, and it’s still very delicate.  Drastic actions by any party could cause the collaboration to unravel. 

Today we want to explore the issue of high school reform in this context.  We want to hear about the things states and communities are already doing voluntarily to transform American high schools, because we’ve heard great things are starting to happen.  I can’t think of two people more qualified to bring us up to speed on that topic than our two honored guests.  We’re looking forward to your testimony.  So without further delay, I would turn to Mr. Miller for any opening statement he may wish to make.

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