Educate America Act of 1994
The Educate America Act of 1994 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming the education system in the United States. Rooted in the belief that results-oriented educational plans, high expectations, and common standards would enhance student success, the Act set eight ambitious educational goals to be achieved by the year 2000. These goals included ensuring that all children enter school ready to learn, raising high school graduation rates to at least 90%, and making American students leaders in mathematics and science achievement.
In addition to establishing these goals, the Act introduced national education standards and allocated grants to states for implementing educational reforms. It also authorized various boards and panels to monitor progress and certify standards, thereby promoting accountability in education. An assessment in 1999 indicated that states were beginning to show progress in educational outcomes, although challenges remained in developing performance standards. Over time, while funding for the Act decreased, the emphasis on standards-driven reforms laid the groundwork for future educational initiatives, such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislation reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the quality of education across diverse communities in America.
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Subject Terms
Educate America Act of 1994
Identification Comprehensive federal education policy; also referred to as Goals 2000
Date Signed into law on March 31, 1994
This act represented a major shift in federal education policy to one that was focused on educational outcomes and reforms that were standards-driven.
The Educate America Act (P.L. 103-227) was one of several educational policies that was implemented in 1994 (others included the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and the Improving America’s Schools Act). The policy was based on three principles: results-based education plans would increase student success, high educational expectations for all students would improve student outcomes, and children would perform best when provided with common expectations.
The act established eight educational goals. The legislation specifically states that, by the year 2000, (1) all children in America will start school ready to learn; (2) the high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent; (3) all students will leave grades four, eight, and twelve having demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter, including English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography, and every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in the modern economy; (4) American students will be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement; (5) the nation’s teaching force will have access to programs for the continued improvement of their professional skills and the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to instruct and prepare all American students for the next century; (6) every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; (7) every school in the United States will be free of drugs, violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning; and (8) every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children.
In addition to the enactment of the goals, the Educate America Act established national education standards, provided grants to states to help in the implementation of reforms, and authorized the development of various boards and panels that would be responsible for monitoring progress and establishing and certifying standards. The act also provided provisions to authorize waivers of requirements.
Impact
A systematic assessment of progress toward the goals occurred every two years. In a report released in 1999 by the U.S. Department of Education, titled “Federal Education Legislation Enacted in 1994,” several indicators of success were examined. According to the report, states were making progress in implementing educational reforms and developing content standards. Educational outcomes were beginning to improve, though states were having difficulty developing performance standards and assessments.
While funding for the Educate America Act was officially diminished at the beginning of the twenty-first century, standards-driven reforms and a focus on educational outcomes had become a defining element in federal education policies. Thus, the Educate America Act helped to set the stage for later educational initiatives, such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Bibliography
Stedman, James B. Goals 2000: Overview and Analysis. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, 1994.
U.S. Department of Education. H.R. 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act. http://www.ed.gov/legislation/GOALS2000/TheAct/index.html.
U.S. Department of Education. Office of the Under Secretary. Planning and Evaluation Service. Federal Education Legislation Enacted in 1994: An Evaluation of Implementation and Impact. Washington, D.C.: Author, 1999.