PURPOSE AND FINDINGS.

SEC. 402. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. (a) Purpose.—The purpose of this title is to create a national council to provide advice on the desirability and feasibility of national standards and testing in education. (b) Findings.—The Congress finds that— (1) organizations have begun developing national education standards for various subject areas and grade levels; (2) groups have called for the expansion of national testing for school children; (3) decisions regarding the desirability and feasibility of additional national testing should follow such decisions on national standards for education; (4) efforts regarding national standards and testing should be undertaken with the broadest possible participation by the public; and (5) a major national council is needed to assure broad participation by the public, to provide a focus for national debate on national education standards and testing, and to provide advice on the desirability and feasibility of developing national standards and testing.