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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 1998

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The president of the National Education Association is vowing to continue to fight for federal funding to modernize America's schools, despite today's Senate vote rejecting the School Modernization Act in favor of "education savings accounts" for private and religious schools.

"Americans want their children to learn in modern schools, with small classes and access to the latest in computer technology," said Bob Chase. "They also want a federal/state/local partnership to help achieve those objectives.

"Today, the Senate had an opportunity to choose between modern schools for all American children, and tax breaks for families already sending their children to private and religious schools. Regrettably, they made the wrong choice. This is a setback for America's kids, but the fight is far from over," Chase said.

By a 56 to 42 vote, the Senate today rejected a proposal to substitute the School Modernization Act -- which would have helped finance an estimated $22 billion in school construction nationwide -- for the so-called Coverdell "education savings accounts," sponsored by Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-GA). A government report issued last week said the average family would realize an annual tax savings of $7 under the proposal, which would cost an estimated $1.6 billion over 10 years.

"Both the House and Senate have already approved more than $200 billion for rebuilding our nation's highways, because to do otherwise would be irresponsible," said Chase. "America's classrooms also need $200 billion in modernization, and they're the highways to the future for 50 million children. The record may show that a majority of U.S. Senators turned their backs on those children today, but NEA and its state affiliates will continue to fight to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in modern schools, with small classes and new computers."

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers. For more information on NEA's Modern Schools, Better Learning campaign, visit the NEA website at http://www.nea.org/society/modern.