Following is a sampler of the school-related votes that Sen. Judd Gregg, R- N.H., has cast over the past few years. (Note: The measures below that passed in committee did not go on to become law.)
Shield teachers from lawsuits when they engage in “reasonable” actions to maintain order and discipline in the classroom. (Amendment passed 98-1 on May 9, 2001.)
Create a $50 million pilot program of public and private school choice for children from low-income families who attend low-performing schools. (This Gregg-sponsored amendment was defeated 58-41 on June 12, 2001.)
Allow up to 15 states to convert funds from many K-12 programs, including Title I, into a block grant in exchange for signing five-year performance pacts. (This Gregg-sponsored amendment was passed in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee 9-8 in March 2000.)
Allow federal Title I aid—in up to 10 states and 20 school districts—to follow disadvantaged children to any public school, and give parents the right to direct that aid to a provider of supplemental educational services, whether public or private. (This Gregg-sponsored amendment was passed in the Senate HELP Committee, 9-8, in March 2000.)
Allow, among other provisions, a student with a disability to be disciplined in the same manner as other students if that child commits an offense deemed not to be a manifestation of the child’s disability. (Amendment failed to pass on a 50-50 vote on June 14, 2001.)
Authorize a $1.6 billion program for school repair and renovation. (Amendment was defeated 50-49 on May 16, 2001.)
Authorize “full” funding of the Title I program over 10 years. (Amendment passed 79-21 on May 3, 2001.)
Shift spending on special education to the mandatory side of the federal budget and lock in large increases in order to reach “full” funding. (Amendment failed Nov. 30, 2001, in the House-Senate conference committee on the “No Child Left Behind” Act of 2001.)
Maintain a separate federal program for reducing class sizes in the early grades. (Amendment was defeated 50-48 on May 15, 2001.)
Source:
staff research
