Black Lawmakers Blast Block Grant Plan - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, May 11, 2000

WASHINGTON -- A Republican plan to convert safe-schools funding into a wide-ranging block grant is under attack from African American lawmakers who say it will hurt race relations -- and increase violence -- at schools.

"This repeal demonstrates a shameful ignorance of race relations," says Rep. William Clay, D-Mo., the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and a Congressional Black Caucus member. "It aids and abets those who live to preach hatred and violence."

Under the plan, the $600 million safe-schools program and a dozen other programs, including after-school services to poor children, would become part of a massive block grant that states could use based on their own needs.

The bill, proposed by Rep. William Goodling, R-Pa., "torpedoes the after-school and summer extended learning programs that boost test scores and reduce crime," Clay says. The Democrat criticized GOP members for placing "hate crime prevention and tolerance on its hit list" through the proposal.

Under Goodling's bill, the Opportunities to Protect and Invest in Our Nation's Students, dubbed OPTIONS, states and school districts easily could transfer funds among safe-school programs and programs for teacher training, educational technology, after-school services and other activities.

While the money officially would be set aside for safe-school programs, local officials could choose not to fund such programs and spend the money on other programs that they deem to be a higher priority.

Despite Clay's criticism, Goodling called the bill an essential ingredient to help schools meet their most important needs.

"Education OPTIONS puts the priority on children rather than federal regulations," says the GOP lawmaker, who chairs the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

The bill also would allow states and districts to transfer safe-schools, teacher training or technology funds into Title I, the federal government's largest K-12 program. Goodling contends that it "streamlines programs, reduces bureaucracy and increases dollars going to the classroom."

OPTIONS is one item in a seven-part House plan to reauthorize K-12 programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Clay, however, says the entire package may be doomed because of veto threats and Republican infighting. "This process is in shambles," he says.

A K-12 reform package also faces partisan battles in the Senate, where most Democrats oppose a GOP-endorsed measure. Education advocates had hoped for congressional approval of a K-12 bill by this summer.