In the coming months and years, I will pursue actively more autonomy in facilities and fiscal management for public education. Once facilities and repair and maintenance master plans are complete, we will set an integrated direction and aggressive timetable to address the long-standing facilities problem. Along with lump-sum budgeting, schools will have more freedom to use funds for a broad range of pupil needs. How a school uses those funds to benefit students who fit into these categories will be largely a site-based decision. Technology is a vital part of the infrastructure of education.
Technology is the direct link into the global village.
Moreover, schools must have access to accurate and appropriate data if they are to improve. The enabling legislation to include technology infrastructure for school facilities has been set forth in the 1994 Omnibus Education Act. In addition, Goals 2000 recommends that states establish standards or strategies to provide all students with an opportunity to learn. Because of our commitment to educational technology, the Department will set a high priority on using federal monies from Goals 2000 to supplement state funds to boost technology in the classrooms. Here we've come to my favorite topic, literate students.