House Targets: 1) John Porter (R-10-IL) 2) Don Young (R-AL-AK) 3) Henry Bonilla (R-23-TX) 4) Ernest Istook (R-5-OK) 5) Dan Miller (R-13-FL) 6) Jay Dickey (R-4-AR) 7) Roger Wicker (R-1-MS) 8) Anne Northup (R-3-KY) 9) R. Cunningham (R-51-CA) 10) David Obey (D-7-WI) 11) Steny Hoyer (D-5-MD) 12) Nancy Pelosi (D-8-CA) 13) Nita Lowey (D-18-NY) 14) Rosa DeLauro (D-3-CT) 15) Jesse Jackson (D-2-IL) 16) Dennis Hastert (Speaker)

Senate Targets: 1) Robert Byrd (D-WV) 2) Thad Cochran (R-MS) 3) Larry Craig (R-ID) 4) Pete Domenici (R-NM) 5) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) 6) Slade Gorton (R-WA) 7) Judd Gregg (R-NH) 8) Tom Harkin (D-IA) 9) Ernest Hollings (D-SC) 10) K. Hutchison (R-TX) 11) Daniel Inouye (D-HI) 12) Herbert Kohl (D-WI) 13) Jon Kyl (R-AZ) 14) Patty Murray (D-WA) 15) Harry Reid (D-NV) 16) Arlen Specter (R-PA) 17) Ted Stevens (R-AK) 18) Trent Lott (Maj. Leader)

Issue Update:
The House and Senate Appropriations Conference Committee is poised to pass legislation that prolongs the life of certain portions of the Goals 2000 program that have been repealed. The Committee is currently deliberating to set 2001 spending levels. Your message to them is urgently needed right now.

Background:
Since 1994, when the program was initiated, home schoolers and other conservative family groups have strongly opposed the Goals 2000 federal education program as a centralized and bureaucratic solution to the failures of the education system. Americans have overwhelmingly objected to the “government knows best” philosophy of education policy, and six years later it is clear that the program’s “goals” have not been met.

Since the program has failed to meet its goals, and Congress has not reauthorized it, all funding should end. In addition, language already signed into law, mandates that certain sections of Goals 2000 be repealed.

Congress should not give funding to programs REPEALED last year!

Following is the status of each section of Goals 2000, and the currently proposed funding levels.

Funding and Legal Status on Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Titles I Thru VI)

Title I—The National Goals: No Proposed Funding.

The description of the eight National Goals which all start with “By the year 2000...” (For example one of the Goals is “By the year 2000, every school in the United States will be free of drugs, violence and the unauthorized use of firearms and alcohol.” ).HSLDA opposes the National Goals and advocates their repeal. However, there is no funding associated with Title I.

Title II—The National Goals Panel: Proposed Funding $2 + Million?

The National Goals Panel is made up of approximately 18 governors, congressmen, and state legislators. Although the panel continues to promote the national goals, it has no authority to do anything except hold hearings and meetings and annually report to Congress the progress of the nation in achieving those goals.

HSLDA opposes funding for the National Goals Panel. Last year Title II received $2.3 million. This year, President Clinton has requested $2.0 million. The House appropriated $0, but the Senate appropriated $2.4 million. We understand that Title II is currently slated to receive funds.

Title III—State and Local: Proposed Funding $0.
Title III was repealed last year.HSLDA won a hard fought victory during last year’s appropriations process resulting in language passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton to specifically repealed Title III “effective September 30, 2000.”

This was a tremendous victory since Title III received the bulk of Goals 2000 funding ($458 million) and contained the very worst parts of the bill including state mandates, performance standards, progress reports, School-to-Work coordination, federal oversight and approval of education planning, and other coercive federal intervention.

We have confirmed that proposed funding remains zero.

Title IV—Parental Assistance: Proposed Funding $38 Million?

Like Title III above, Title IV was included in last year’s repeal language requiring that the program be repealed “effective September 30, 2000.” Among other things, Title IV mandates funds for “parental assistance programs” including Parents as Teachers programs and Home Instruction for Preschool Youngsters.

Title IV received $33 million last year and, in spite of its being repealed, the Senate has proposed funding at $40 million. The House appropriated $0 for this title but the president requested $33 million. Title IV should NOT be funded.

Title V—The National Skills Standards Board: Proposed Funding $3.5 Million?

The proposed funding for Title V is particularly disturbing. The National Skills Standards Board, created by Goals 2000: Educate America Act, had a "sunset" clause written into the original law. The language leaves no room for misunderstanding, it was “terminated” (sec. 503(j)), “repealed” and “sunset” (sec. 601) on September 30, 1999.

However, this board was not only funded at $7 million last year but it looks likely that it may be funded again this year since both the president and Senate asked for $3.5 million. Title V should not be funded.

Title VI—The International Education Exchange Program: Proposed Funding $9 million?
Title VI of Goals, the International Education Exchange Program, funds various international education efforts. Last year the program received $7 million. This year the president has requested $8 million. The House has given $0, but the Senate has appropriated $10 million. This program is likely to be funded.HSLDA opposes funding for this program.

Conclusion
Families across America hailed home schoolers victory last year, yet this Congress is poised to break its promise.

Please call immediately and tell your congressman that funding for these programs must end this year.