With that designation, Secretary Riley can transfer to my office the powers Congress has granted to the Secretary for issuing waivers to schools and districts and promoting consolidation and streamlined use of federal funds. This new authority is absolutely unprecedented in federal education practice. It truly enables us to consolidate local, state and federal resources in more effective implementation than ever before. The objectives of federal education program consolidation and block granting are already in place. As your Subcommittee deliberates during this Congress, please keep these provisions in place and reinforce them with resources that my colleagues in the states and I can use to achieve student results which are truly internationally competitive.
Education reform is a difficult, long-term process that requires staying power and broad support.
I urge the Congress to work cooperatively with the President to maintain stable support for these principles. I believe strongly that we are headed in the right direction, both at the state level in Massachusetts and at the federal level. I urge you to lend your leadership and support to these important programs.