Reagan to Seek More Funds for Magnet Schools

President Reagan, impressed with the academic achievements of a predominantly black suburban Washington high school, said today that he will ask Congress to increase by more than 50% federal grants to establish magnet schools.

Addressing students at one such school, Suitland High, which offers university-style seminar teaching and a performing arts program, Reagan said “money isn’t the answer” to educational improvement.

But with Education Secretary William J. Bennett at his side, Reagan announced that he will seek an increase in grants to magnet schools from $72 million a year to $115 million.

The Prince Georges County school system, of which Suitland is part, received $4 million last year.

Reagan chose the school because of its dramatic turnaround in recent years from a nest of drugs, crime and low achievement to one with higher test scores and programs that resulted in parents standing in line for three days to win a slot for their children.

Hopes for ‘Transformation’

Reagan said that he would like to see “the same transformation in schools across the country” but that the $300 billion in annual federal, state and local spending on education “becomes meaningless” without merit incentives for teachers, strong leadership by principals and involvement by parents.

Reagan also said a good education depends on choice. “I’ve long argued that parents should have more choice in determining the schools that their children will attend,” he said.

Magnet programs, offering specialized college preparatory instruction and performing arts classes, are designed to improve racial integration without increasing mandatory busing by providing an incentive for white students to attend predominantly black schools.