PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Oct 21, 1999
Academic Achievement for All Act (Straight A's Act) - Allows up to ten States a certain type of flexibility in combining and using specified Federal elementary and secondary education formula program funds for State education priorities and programs, in exchange for being held accountable for meeting, in a five-year period, certain performance goals which they propose.(Sec. 3) Allows not more than ten States to opt to enter into such a performance agreement with the Secretary of Education, under which provisions of law relating to specified eligible programs shall not apply to the State, with certain exceptions.Requires such States to provide parents, teachers, and local schools notice and opportunity to comment on any such proposed performance agreement prior to submission to the Secretary.Includes under the terms of such agreements requirements relating to: (1) use of such funds to improve student achievement; (2) an accountability system; (3) performance goals and measures, and student academic achievement data; (4) fiscal responsibilities; (5) civil rights; (6) private school student and staff participation; (7) State financial participation; and (8) annual reports.(Sec. 4) Lists such eligible programs, under various provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), the Department of Education Appropriations Act of 1999, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, and the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.(Sec. 5) Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) within-State distribution of funds; (2) local participation; and (3) limitations on State and local educational agency administrative expenditures.(Sec. 8) Requires performance reviews at mid-term and at the end of the five-year period of the performance agreement. Authorizes termination of the agreement if student achievement in the academic categories significantly declines for three consecutive years during the five-year term. Requires termination of the agreement and State compliance with program requirements in effect at the time of termination if a State has not substantially met the performance goals by the end of the five-year term. Authorizes reductions of State administrative funds for States that have no progress by the end of the term.(Sec. 9) Allows States that have met at least 80 percent of their performance goals to apply for renewal of performance agreements for an additional five-year period.(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary annually to set aside sufficient funds from the Fund for the Improvement of Education under ESEA to grant achievement gap reduction rewards to such States. Requires a performance reward to equal at least five percent of funds allocated to the State during the first year of the performance agreement for programs included in the agreement. Makes a State eligible to receive a reward if, over the five-year term of the performance agreement, it reduces by at least 25 percent the difference between the percentage of highest and lowest performing groups of students that meet the State's definition of proficient, with such reduction occurring in at least: (1) two content areas, one of which must be mathematics or reading; and (2) two grade levels.(Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to make the annual State reports available to specified congressional committees.
People & committees
Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2300.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 208 (Roll no. 532).
House roll call 532 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 208 (Roll no. 532).
House roll call 532 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 531). (consideration: CR H10715)
House roll call 531 · Individual votesDEBATE - The House is debating the motion to recommit with instructions for 10 minutes.
Mr. Clay moved to recommit with instructions to Education and the Workforce.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2300.
DEBATE - Pursuant to H. Rept. 106-408, the Committee is debating the amendment offered by Mr. Fattah for 20 minutes.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with two hours of general debate on H.R. 2300.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Edward A. Pease to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 338 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2300 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Makes in order the Committee on Education and the Workforce amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as an original bill modified by the amendments printed in Part A of H. Rept. 106-408. Makes in order only those amendments printed in Part B of H. Rept. 106-408.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 338. (consideration: CR H10689-10715)
Rule H. Res. 338 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 338 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2300 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. makes in order the Committee on Education and the Workforce amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as an original bill modified by the amendments printed in Part A of H. Rept. 106-408. Makes in order only those amendments printed in Part B of H. Rept. 106-408.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 221.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 106-386.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 106-386.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2300 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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