Education Bill of Rights Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 Oct 1998): Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
What this bill does
H.R. 4864, the "Education Bill of Rights Act," would authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (school districts) that adopt a specified set of education initiatives. To qualify, a district would have to show it had developed programs covering ten areas, including charter schools, public school choice for parents, vocational or college-preparatory options for high school students, early elementary reading programs aimed at third-grade proficiency, safe and drug-free school environments, locally developed standardized testing, teacher-parent curriculum panels, higher teaching standards, a merit pay system for teachers, and hiring practices favoring highly qualified teachers.
Grant amounts would be calculated by dividing total federal fiscal year 1998 spending on elementary and secondary education by the number of public schools nationwide receiving such funds, with reductions if appropriations were insufficient. Districts could use up to 5% of their grant for administrative costs and would have to report annually on program effectiveness and parental involvement. The bill would primarily affect local school districts, parents, students, and teachers by tying federal grant eligibility to adoption of these specific reforms.
The bill was introduced on October 20, 1998, in the 105th Congress by Rep. David Dreier and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It received no further action or vote before that Congress ended, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Education Bill of Rights Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to promote certain education initiatives. Requires an applicant LEA, to be eligible for such a grant, to demonstrate that it has developed the following initiatives: (1) a charter school program to allow parents greater choice in selecting the appropriate educational setting for their child; (2) a parental school choice program that allows parents the ability to select a public school located within the LEA; (3) a vocational and academic opportunities program that allows parents to choose a vocational or college preparatory program for their secondary school student child; (4) an early elementary reading program to ensure that all students can read by the third grade; (5) a program to provide a safe and drug-free environment at school; (6) a locally-developed standardized testing program; (7) curriculum development panels composed of teachers and parents; (8) a program to improve or increase the standards for teachers; (9) a merit pay system to reward teachers who meet or exceed performance criteria; and (10) a teaching excellence program to ensure that the most qualified teachers are hired, including teachers with expertise in the workplace. Sets forth a formula for allocation of funds to LEAS that meet such eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations.
Timeline
20 Oct 1998
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4864 do?
- H.R. 4864, the "Education Bill of Rights Act," would authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (school districts) that adopt a specified set of education initiatives. To qualify, a district would have to show it had developed programs covering ten areas, including charter schools, public school choice for parents, vocational or college-preparatory options for high school students, early elementary reading programs aimed at third-grade proficiency, safe and drug-free school environments, locally developed standardized testing, teacher-parent curriculum panels, higher teaching standards, a merit pay system for teachers, and hiring practices favoring highly qualified teachers. Grant amounts would be calculated by dividing total federal fiscal year 1998 spending on elementary and secondary education by the number of public schools nationwide receiving such funds, with reductions if appropriations were insufficient. Districts could use up to 5% of their grant for administrative costs and would have to report annually on program effectiveness and parental involvement. The bill would primarily affect local school districts, parents, students, and teachers by tying federal grant eligibility to adoption of these specific reforms. The bill was introduced on October 20, 1998, in the 105th Congress by Rep. David Dreier and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It received no further action or vote before that Congress ended, meaning it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 4864 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4864. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4864?
- H.R. 4864 was sponsored by Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-28] (R-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4864?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. (20 Oct 1998).
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