Political Talk

As the election comes closer, im going to start to post some talking points to clear up alot of the disinformation coming from liberals/left wingers/kerry supporters about initiatives coming FROM our president, and done BY our president.

Today, No Child Left Behind.

No Child Left Behind sets a clear objective for American education. Every child in every school must be performing at grade level in the basic subjects that are key to all learning – reading and math.

The legislation requires regular testing in these basic subjects for every child in every school, starting in the third grade. And when schools do not show progress toward high standards, better options are made available to parents, including tutoring for their children, or a transfer to a better public school.

No Child Left Behind is based on 4 key principles:

• Accountability for results
• Local control and flexibility
• New options for parents; and
• Scientifically proven teaching methods and programs.

The historic legislation insists on high standards and accountability because the President believes that every school should teach and every child can learn.

Unprecedented Commitment to Education

President Bush’s overall Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget represents a 48% increase for elementary and secondary education since FY 2001. It includes an additional:

• $1 billion in Title I funding for disadvantaged students, for a total that represents a 52% increase since FY 2001.
• $138 million for reading programs, for a total that is over four times the amount spent in FY 2001.
• $1 billion for special education programs, in total, an increase of 75% since FY 2001.

Through the No Child Left Behind Act, these historic levels of support are combined with an unprecedented commitment to achieving high standards and accountability to ensure every school across the nation is producing real results for every child in America.

Important Progress for America’s Schoolchildren

In the 24 months since President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, the Bush administration has worked closely with state and local education leaders to put the new reforms into action.

The new law is beginning to show results.

• All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have drawn up plans to hold every public school accountable for student achievement.
• Test results show America's children are making progress. In 2003, math scores for fourth graders nationwide were nine points higher than in 2000. Math scores for eighth graders improved by five points. And a higher percentage of fourth graders tested at or above their grade level in reading.
• 234 schools across the country have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, which is the highest award a school can receive from the federal government. These schools have made outstanding yearly progress and have achieved historic results by using regular monitoring and assessment practices aligned with the policies in No Child Left Behind.

As a result of No Child Left Behind, the federal government is now spending more money for elementary and secondary education that at any other time in American history.

• In 2003, the Bush administration provided $234 million to assist the lowest performing schools that needed the most improvement. In 2004, the administration plans to more than double that amount. Federal funding for elementary and high school education has increased from about $25 billion in 2001, to more than $33 billion in 2003, an increase of about 36 percent, and the highest level ever.
• Since the enactment of No Child Left Behind, there has been a 43 percent increase in K-12 funding overall, a 41 percent increase in Title I funding, and reading funds have nearly quadrupled. The administration has proposed a 39 percent increase in resources for teachers and principles, and a 59 percent increase in special education.
• The administration has committed $1.8 billion in grants to help train tens of thousands of teachers to use effective reading instruction methods and materials. No Child Left Behind expects schools to do their job, and it provides the resources to help them to do their job.
• The administration has committed significant increases in funding to implementing these important reforms, but some states and school districts have not been able to take full advantage of these resources. According to the Department of Education, there is nearly $6 billion of unspent money remaining in the Treasury that states are entitled to that have not been drawn down yet.

Inherent in the No Child Left Behind legislation is not only the desire to assess and measure the progress of every child, but the belief that local people to make the right decisions for their children.

• No Child Left Behind is providing local communities and school districts with unprecedented flexibility in using federal funds. Increased flexibility allows states to address the unique challenges of rural areas.
• Using funding for tutoring provided in the legislation, parents can select from the more than 1600 supplemental service providers approved by the states. With this option, parents for the first time can find a program that is focused and directed and the specific needs of their child.

Thanks to the President’s leadership, closing the achievement gap is now a national priority.