THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK



Monday, February 23, 1998

PRESIDENT CLINTON:
THE LARGEST COMMITMENT TO K-12 EDUCATION IN HISTORY

"Every American who is willing to work and study hard can now afford college... We've thrown open the doors to higher learning. Now, we must continue working to make sure all our children can walk through them and seize the opportunities of the future. That is why in my balanced budget, I am proposing the largest commitment to K-12 education in history -- a comprehensive plan to raise standards, raise expectations and raise accountability in our schools."

President Bill Clinton February 20, 1998

Today, President Clinton hosts a round table discussion with members of the National Governors' Association to discuss a variety of topics, including education, transportation, tobacco, workforce development and child care. At the beginning of the session, the President calls on the Governors to join him in making K-12 education a top priority -- by taking steps to reduce class size, modernize and build new schools, pass national standards, end the practice of social promotion, and continue education reform.

Keeping Education A Top Priority. The President's balanced budget proposal includes historic investments in K-12 education, including initiatives to: