Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw School Corp. could soon have more options in addressing its most pressing needs.
A bipartisan groundswell for expanding the Educational Flexibility Partnership Program (Ed-Flex) is occurring in Washington, D.C. The program was established as a pilot program in 12 states by an amendment to the Goals 2000: Educate America Act in 1996. In exchange for accepting more accountability for results, Ed-Flex provides greater state and local flexibility in using federal education funds to support locally designed, comprehensive improvement efforts.
"We get a lot of mandates - a lot of unfunded mandates. The whole concept of public schools is built upon local control," said Warsaw schools superintendent Dr. Lee Harman. "Having the freedom to approach solutions locally would be welcome."
The latest push is coming from both Congress and the nation's governors, currently in Washington, D.C., attending the annual National Governor's Association meetings.
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon urged President Clinton at a White House briefing Monday to support pending legislation to expand the Ed-Flex program to all states.
"The people closest to the problem are the best people to find the solution," O'Bannon said. "It's already made a big difference in helping students achieve."
O'Bannon pointed to the experience of Maryland, one of the 12 pilot states. It used the new flexibility to cut class sizes in half for students who have the greatest need in mathematics and science.
O'Bannon would like to see Ed-Flex expanded to allow Indiana schools to make those types of key decisions.
"In general terms, the governor is thinking the devolution of the of the decision-making process is what's most desirable," said Phil Bremen, the governor's press spokesman. "He wants to leave the decisions up to the individual school district, even to the individual school."
Rep. Tim Roemer (D-Dist. 3) has introduced legislation with Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) to expand the Ed-Flex program nationwide.
"The Ed-Flex program is working well in the demonstration states," Roemer said. "It's time to make this a national program. I support efforts to give states and communities more flexibility and local control to operate schools. We should allow states to be innovative in return for better student performance."
The U.S. Senate is also considering a separate bill, Senate Bill 280, which calls for the expansion of Ed-Flex to all 50 states. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
The other states participating in the Ed-Flex pilot program include Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Vermont.
