Education Flexibility Amendments of 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Education Flexibility

Title II: Oregon Institute of Public Service and

Constitutional Studies

Title III: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

Title I: Education Flexibility - Education Flexibility Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Goals 2000: Educate America Act to authorize the Secretary of Education to allow all States to participate in the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act (Ed-Flex) program.

(Sec. 103) Includes State and local programs for school technology resources under the Educational and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) among programs for which requirements may be waived under Ed-Flex.

Revises State eligibility requirements for Ed-Flex. Requires States to: (1) have approved challenging content standards, challenging performance measures, and aligned assessments in place or have made substantial progress towards having an approved plan under ESEA title I; and (2) hold local educational agencies accountable for meeting the educational goals submitted in their local applications for waivers, and for taking corrective actions if they have not met such goals.

Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the Ed-Flex program for FY 1999 through 2003.

Sets forth accountability requirements. Requires the Secretary, in deciding whether to extend the authority of a State educational agency (SEA) to issue waivers, to review the SEA's progress to determine if it has: (1) established procedures for increasing the percentage of elementary school and secondary school teachers in the State who have demonstrated, by traditional or alternative routes, subject matter knowledge and pedagogical skill to provide effective instruction in appropriate content areas; and (2) decreased the percentage of elementary school and secondary school teachers teaching in high poverty elementary schools and secondary schools who do not demonstrate such knowledge and skills.

Title II: Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, to establish the Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies at the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government.

(Sec. 203) Requires such Institute to: (1) further the knowledge and understanding of students about public service, the U.S. Government, and the Constitution; (2) increase awareness among youth of the importance of public service; (3) establish a Mark O. Hatfield Fellows program for students of government, public policy, public health, education, or law who have demonstrated a commitment to public service through volunteer activities, research projects, or employment; (4) create library and research facilities; and (5) support the professional development of elected officials at all levels of government.

(Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, to establish the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

(Sec. 302) Includes among the Institute's duties research, analysis, debate, and policy recommendations with respect to world hunger, mass media, foreign policy, education, and employment.

(Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations.