EdAction
Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116 
Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931
http://www.EdAction.org
E-mail

May 14, 2001

Letters to Washington on HR1

Following is a copy of a letter sent from a constituent to Democratic Congressman Bill Luther of Minnesota's 6th Congressional District and another to President Bush.

May 11, 2001

Congressman. Bill Luther (D-MN06)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C. 20515
bill.luther@mail.house.gov

Dear Congressman. Bill Luther (D-MN06)

Subject: We Oppose HR-1 legislation. DO NOT Vote to approve this bill!!

We understand that the House Education and Workforce Committee has passed HR-1, the reauthorization of the ESEA. I also understand that HR-1 has done nothing to remove the federal mandate on the states to implement "performance-based" content standards and assessments, tied to Title I money. These mandates were first imposed on our states in 1994 with the passage of the Goals 2000 and School-to- Work laws. This "single set of statewide standards which are the same for all" and their accompanying aligned assessments are imposing one set of outcomes for all, the same Outcome Based Education slightly repackaged. We are experiencing the federally driven death of genuine academic achievement in our schools.

While the language specifically referencing Goals 2000 and STW has been removed, the mandate to keep the already implemented standards and aligned assessments in place continues in HR-1 in full force!

We are appalled that this Congress would refuse to roll back the heavy-handed mandates that have been upon our schools. Not only have these mandates not been removed, but also more mandates from Washington have been piled on, tying us ever more deeply into this education nightmare that is wreaking havoc in our schools across the country. New requirements for testing the state tests are in this legislation to hold our states fully accountable to the federal government. Are you aware of the 10th amendment to the US Constitution? We continue to take our constitutional law seriously, and we expect our elected Congressmen to do likewise.

We would appreciate a prompt reply to my letter.

We respectfully request, as your voting constituent, that you oppose this bill (HR-1). Please vote to oppose (HR-1). It is shameful act of this Congress.

We will be watching your actions on this measure with great interest.

Always Supporting A Strong Constitutional Republic

President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President George W. Bush,

Subject: We Oppose HR-1 legislation. Please VETO this bill (HR-1)!!

We understand that the House Education and Workforce Committee has passed HR-1, the reauthorization of the ESEA. We also understand that HR11 has done nothing to remove the federal mandate on the states to implement "performance-based" content standards and assessments tied to Title I money. These mandates were first imposed on our states in 1994 with the passage of the Goals 2000 and School-to- Work legislation. Their "single set of statewide standards which are the same for all" and their accompanying aligned assessments are imposing one set of outcomes for all, the same Outcome Based Education, slightly repackaged. We are left with minimum outcomes for all. We are experiencing the federally driven death of genuine academic achievement in our schools.

While the language specifically referencing Goals 2000 and STW has been removed, the mandate to keep the already implemented standards and aligned assessments in place continues in HR11 in full force!

We are appalled that a Republican administration, a Republican controlled House and a Republican controlled Senate refuses to roll back the radical education agenda of the Clinton era. Not only have these mandates not been removed, but also more mandates from Washington have been piled on, tying us ever more deeply into this education nightmare that is wreaking havoc in our schools across the country. New requirements for testing the state tests are in this legislation to hold our states fully accountable to the federal government. Are you aware of the 10th amendment to the US Constitution? We continue to take our constitutional law seriously, and we expect our elected Congressmen to do likewise.

We respectfully request, as a voting United States Citizen, that you VETO this bill (HR-1). It is shameful act of the Republican majority and a Republican administration. If HR-1 passes, it is not the radicals of the Clinton era who will be accountable for the dismantling of our free system, but the Republican majority in the year 2001.

We would appreciate a prompt reply to my letter.

We will be watching your actions on this measure with great interest.

EdAction - 105 Peavey Rd, Ste 116, Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931 - edaction@lakes.com - (c) EdAction - All rights reserved.