Sen. Ashcroft is going to receive a fair hearing in the Senate. According to aides, Bush is engaged in preparation of an education package that would aggressively test students and cut federal funds for schools that fail to measure up. Aides say that despite significant opposition in Congress and recent newspaper reports, he will not abandon a school voucher plan. Bush has said improving public schools is his No. 1 priority, and lawmakers are certain to see his proposals just after he takes office January 20. Key elements of the plan include flexibility for states and local districts in their education programs, and increased student testing.
Proponents call it school choice.
Given the disputed presidential election and the slender advantage Republicans hold on Capitol Hill, Bush simply cannot force his programs through Congress. Nevertheless, advisers say he will stick with some form of his campaign proposal to allow parents with kids in chronically ailing schools to spend federal education funds as they choose. He disputed a report in Tuesday's Washington Post that Bush is likely to drop the voucher proposal because too many members of Congress oppose it. Bush last week nominated Houston schools chief Rod Paige as his education secretary. Paige supports voucher programs.