October 9, 1999
Web posted at: 1:59 p.m. EDT (1759 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci on Saturday called on the nation to take "bold steps" to reform schools by holding teachers, students, and school administrators accountable for how well they perform.

"Democrats ... such as Vice President Al Gore, are fighting to preserve the status quo and protect an educational system that is failing our kids," Cellucci said in the Republicans' weekly radio address. "But Republican governors are taking bold steps and forcing real change in our schools."

Cellucci praised Texas Gov. George W. Bush, a Republican presidential candidate. Bush, he said, "has ended social promotion and put in place a tough accountability system that has produced dramatic increases in test scores."

He praised other Republican governors for reforms that include charter schools, school choice, and accountability.

Cellucci said his state was planning to issue report cards that grade schools on student performance to help pinpoint underperforming schools and help them "make the grade."

He said giving states and local school districts more power to make significant changes would encourage school reform.

Saturday, October 9, 1999

• Massachusetts governor wants schools to be graded
• Clinton continues to push for nuclear test ban treaty
• Clinton rejects Quebec independence in Canadian visit

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