This op-ed by Eric Earling appeared in the Idaho State Journal on January 14, 2006.

A recent State Journal editorial gave an incomplete account of events surrounding a pending fine against the state Department of Education. Contrary to that editorial, and the opinion of some voices in Idaho, it is wholly inaccurate to blame the matter solely on the State Board of Education. More importantly, both the state Department and the State Board are working together diligently to address the issue and meet the goals of No Child Left Behind.

No Child Left Behind is an important effort to encourage states to improve K-12 education. Idaho and the other 49 States have chosen to participate in No Child Left Behind, which holds schools accountable for the use of taxpayers' money so that all students can receive the education they deserve. Though this law is only four years old, we've seen strong evidence both nationally and across Idaho that it is working.

Contrary to the pronouncements of some, the pending fine in question cannot be reduced to a simple discussion about the State Board of Education. It has its roots in No Child Left Behind's predecessor, the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) of 1994. Idaho chose to participate in that law as well. Under the leadership of the State Department of Education, Idaho was still not in compliance with that law by 2002, eight years after it took effect.

To ensure accountability for the use of taxpayers' funds, as Congress directed, the U.S. Department of Education and Idaho entered into a "compliance agreement" in 2002, a specific plan to correct deficiencies from the state Department's administration of IASA programs.

If the state Department had not entered into a compliance agreement it would have risked all of Idaho's Title I funding from the federal government to support the education of disadvantaged children. That would have amounted to a $32.8 million loss in 2002 for Idaho. Since Title I funding has increased in recent years the loss to Idaho's students would have increased as well, amounting to $42.2 million in 2005 alone.

As the State Journal noted, Idaho's Legislature transferred responsibility for oversight of federal education programs from the state Department to the State Board in 2003. Since that time, the Board and its staff have worked faithfully and enthusiastically to bring the state into compliance with IASA and No Child Left Behind.

A review by national experts earlier this year determined the state is doing some good things, including conducting groundbreaking work in the development of tests for students with special needs. But the review also found that more work needs to be done to align the ISAT with the state standards Idaho expects its students to reach. It should be noted that the resulting fine, mandated by Congress, represents the minimum penalty the U.S. Department of Education can assess by law.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department remains committed to working collaboratively with Idaho and all states to meet the important goals of No Child Left Behind, so our students can be prepared to succeed in the competitive global economy that affects us all. Secretary Margaret Spellings has offered states flexibility in exchange for results, recognizing states' needs while holding true to the principles of the law.

I personally have had the pleasure of visiting many classrooms and meeting with many educators across Idaho over the last three years. I've seen the good things that are going on in Idaho's classrooms, the fruits of reforms including No Child Left Behind. I've seen the State Board become a leader in taking on the tough work of trying to turn the ambitious goals of No Child Left Behind into real results.

It's easy to place blame when mistakes are made—but less easy to escape the consequences. Let's not forget the past—but let's now focus on the future. Bold, goal-driven reform like No Child Left Behind isn't always the easiest road to take, but it's the right thing to do. It makes more sense to focus on how Idaho can improve the education of its children, rather than engage in endless finger-pointing battles between adults.

Eric Earling is the Deputy Secretary's Regional Representative based out of the U.S. Depar tment of Education's office in Seattle, covering Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.