GOP Skeptical of Clinton's New School Plans

By David J. Hoff

Washington

In the three years since Republicans took over Congress, they've complained that the numerous federal programs for schools don't give districts enough leeway in spending the money.

Just six days after Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., reinforced that message in a nationally televised speech, President Clinton sent the GOP-led Congress a budget with 13 new education programs.

Mr. Clinton's proposals for 100,000 new teachers, school construction aid, urban school reform, and other priorities represent an agenda that attacks specific problems by creating new pots of money to help schools solve them. It's a common practice, one that Republicans themselves...