The Proposal.

On 25 February 1990, the National Governors' Association adopted a set of six goals designed to boost student achievement in the United States by the year 2000. The goals were developed by the governors in consultation with the White House, and were based on a plan developed at an education summit that President George Bush had held with the nation's governors in September 1989. As the government continued to further define the objectives and budgeting issues that accompanied the bold move, critics and supporters began the debate on the appropriateness of federal intervention in a state mandate- public education. Key among the questions was how progress on the goals would be determined and whether a clear delineation between church and state was made in light of implied support for vouchers.

A New Law.

In March 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law. In...