Signed by President George Bush

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes $26.5 billion to update and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, enacted in 1965.

Highlights:

• Implements annual testing of students grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics to assess their progress and the performance of the schools they attend.

• Holds low-achieving schools accountable for failing to demonstrate progress from year to year and prescribes improvement programs for schools which do not meet standards.

• Provides more flexibility for states and local districts in spending federal funds.

• Stipulates that military recruiters have guaranteed access to school premises and pupils.

• Authorizes $1 billion in federal aid to create or enhance computer technology systems.

• Withholds federal aid to any school district that prevents or denies students from participating in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.

• Withholds federal aid to any school district that denies Boy Scouts the use of school facilities but allows other youth groups to use those same facilities.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes $26.5 billion to update and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, enacted in 1965.

Highlights:

• Implements annual testing of students grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics to assess their progress and the performance of the schools they attend.

• Holds low-achieving schools accountable for failing to demonstrate progress from year to year and prescribes improvement programs for schools which do not meet standards.

• Provides more flexibility for states and local districts in spending federal funds.

• Stipulates that military recruiters have guaranteed access to school premises and pupils.

• Authorizes $1 billion in federal aid to create or enhance computer technology systems.

• Withholds federal aid to any school district that prevents or denies students from participating in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.

• Withholds federal aid to any school district that denies Boy Scouts the use of school facilities but allows other youth groups to use those same facilities.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would implement testing to track students' progress and authorize an increase in overall education spending to nearly $23 billion for fiscal year 2002, and about $135 billion over the 2002-2006 period.

Highlights:

• Implements annual testing of students grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics to assess their progress and the performance of the schools they attend.

• Omits a provision that would have authorized issuing vouchers to students attending failing public schools who sought a transfer to a private or parochial school.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text