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JANUARY 24, 2001

Promising that "no child will be left behind," President George W. Bush on Tuesday unveiled his national education goals along with newly confirmed Education Secretary Rod Paige.

But as he recounted some of the challenges public schools face today, including those which Paige has been praised for solving as a school superintendent in Texas, he avoided directly mentioning by name two key policy issues he raised during the campaign: school vouchers and funding to repair tribal schools.

The first issue resonates with many Democrats who feel vouchers steal money away from the schools which most desperately need it. Bush instead characterized the controversial subject as one of choice, arguing parents should be given "meaningful options" should schools fail to meet standards.

The second was Bush's only promise aimed at Indian Country during a campaign in which tribal issues were largely ignored. It was also one which Republican Senators last week repeatedly asked Gale Norton to uphold should she be confirmed as Secretary of Interior.

Despite the competing priorities of politicians, some national and Indian educators said Bush's plan could help reservation schools. It calls for yearly testing of students and schools would be rewarded or punished based on their performance. Failing schools would receive help before facing the consequences, though.

Since the plan puts power into the hands of states and local governments, Dr. Douglas Reeves, president and founder of the International Center for Educational Accountability, said it "unequivocally" supports tribal sovereignty and the unique issues schools on reservations face.

"The complexity with Native nations is that you don't have a single way of describing the schools or the governance or the historical issues," said Reeves. "To me, the real challenge is trying to figure out how the balance appropriate cultural responsiveness with trying to create opportunities for students."

Dr. Joseph Martin, faculty member of the Northern Arizona University Center for Excellence in Education and a former executive director of the National Indian Education Association, also supported the idea of more local control. He said decisions affecting education must be done in consultation with tribal governments and parents.

"In the case of reservation schools, tribal governments need to have a place at the table and be actively involved in the discussion," said Martin. "In terms of helping failing tribal and reservation-based schools, they need support, but not any kind of 'support.' They need 'relevant' support that goes beyond surface level thinking or the one-size-fits-all approach to helping schools."

Less enthusiastic of Bush's plan was Dr. James Deignan, superintendent of Walthill Public Schools on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska. In charge of a school with an Indian population of 98 percent, Deignan said it might not benefit reservation residents.

"More affluent parents will have the ability to take advantage of these changes," said Deignan. "Well as is the case, the poor's choices will be limited. For our parents who live and work on the reservation, where are they going to get the additional funds to support transporting their children to other districts?"

Democrats on Tuesday also laid out their own education policy. While many of the goals are similar, the Democrat plan differs on how often students would be tested and who would control federal funding. Vouchers are also left out and organizations like the National Education Association and lawmakers including House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri criticized Bush's plan for supporting them.

Read Bush's Announcement:
Text: Bush Unveils Education Plan (eMediaMillWorks 1/23)

Relevant Links:
International Center for Educational Accountability - icea.communityisoft.com
Center for Excellence in Education, Northern Arizona University - www.nau.edu/cee
The Department of Education - www.ed.gov

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Paige nomination troubles mascot opponents (Indian U. 01/10)