U.S. STUDENTS STILL LAG BEHIND OTHER NATIONS

When U.S. students were tested in 1995, they didn't stack up well against students around the world, particularly in prosperous Asian nations such as Japan. So the Clinton administration came up with a expensive plan to improve public education.

Last week, another round of tests completed in 1999 showed that American students did a little better in science and math but were still behind their counterparts elsewhere.

Administration officials said the latest tests showed the U.S. education plan is working. But business and education leaders disagreed. They openly criticized the federal government's lack of follow-through from 1995.

That's the Clinton way: Tell the nation you have a dramatic plan. Grab the headlines. And then forget you ever said anything.