U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell met with Tyrone Elementary School principal Mary Perry last week to discuss education concerns for Tyrone.

Coverdell outlined his education initiatives, including his Education Savings Accounts legislation, which has been vetoed by President Clinton.

"I am pleased to sit down with education professionals and hear the concerns of those, like principal Perry, who are in the schools on a day-to-day basis," Coverdell said.

"Despite President Clinton's disappointing decision to support federal control of education, we will continue pushing for local and parental decision-making power to give our children the best educations possible," he added.

Specifically, Education Savings Accounts would allow parents to place as much as $2,000 per year, per child, in a designated savings account. These after-tax, non-government dollars would earn interest at a tax-free rate and could be used for education expenses (home computers, transportation, tutoring, tuition) associated with any K-12 school. The package also includes provisions that support teacher testing and merit pay, make college more affordable, and improve literacy.

Coverdell and Perry also discussed the legislative progress of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Senate will consider the act later this session as part of the appropriations process. Long a supporter of IDEA, Coverdell included the provision in his Safe and Affordable Schools Act.

"My colleagues in the Senate and I have made education a top priority this session. I continue pursuing our goal of providing safe, quality schools for our nation's children," Coverdell said.