Bush readying schools plan, finalizing Cabinet

Tuesday, January 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ President-elect Bush is readying an education package that would aggressively test students and cut federal funds for schools that fail to measure up. Aides say that despite significant opposition in Congress, he will not abandon a school voucher plan.

As he puts the finishing touches on his Cabinet this week, Bush also is weighing how to present his education proposals to Congress. He has said improving public schools is his No. 1 priority, and lawmakers are certain to see his proposals just after he takes office Jan. 20.

Key elements of the plan include flexibility for states and local districts in their education programs, and increased student testing.

The most politically sensitive component of Bush's proposal is his plan to strip federal funds from the worst-performing schools and make them available to parents for private education, tutoring or ``whatever offers hope,'' as he put it.

Using public money to allow students to go to private schools is commonly known as voucher programs, and it is the most divisive issue in Bush's plan, one sure to spark a debate in Congress. Proponents call it school choice.

Given the disputed presidential election and the slender advantage Republicans hold on Capitol Hill, Bush cannot force his programs through Congress.

Nevertheless, advisers say he will stick with some form of his campaign proposal to allow parents with kids in chronically ailing schools to spend federal education funds as they choose.

``He will press for some choice,'' said a top adviser familiar with his Bush's education plan. ``What he's saying to Congress is, with federal money, when do we ever say the parent has to be able to do something different?''

But the adviser added that Bush might be open to discussing a mix of private and public school choice. He noted that Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., has favored public school choice.

Vice President-elect Dick Cheney met with Lieberman, his rival during the presidential campaign, last month to talk about education, among other things.

``I'm confident that both sides are reading each other's material,'' the aide said. ``Lieberman has some ideas, Bush has some ideas, and the Congress is going to have to wrestle with that.''

The adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity, brushed aside questions about whether Bush would scale back his voucher proposal.

``The proposals themselves were limited in the first place,'' the adviser said. ``There ain't a lot to scale back.''

The government currently spends $7.7 billion on Title I programs to help educate poor children.

Under Bush's plan, every school getting the Title I money would be required to test its impoverished students on basic academics each year. A warning would be issued to schools that fail to make progress toward state standards.

After three years of no progress, a failing school's Title I money would be matched with other federal education money and turned over to the state, which would set up an education account _ about $1,500 a year _ for each affected student.

The parents could choose how to spend the money.

Bush last week selected Houston schools chief Rod Paige as education secretary. Paige supports voucher programs.

Bush now has three Cabinet secretaries left to nominate, the secretaries of the departments of energy, transportation and labor. A personnel announcement was planned for Tuesday.

Bush spent a long holiday weekend at his Crawford ranch entertaining friends and consulting with aides by phone as he filled out his Cabinet.

Other high-profile positions still unfilled include CIA director and U.N. ambassador. Economic adviser Larry Lindsey has not formally received a title yet.