OMAHA -- U. S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today traveled to Nebraska to discuss the historic No Child Left Behind Act and how the powerful law will help children in Nebraska and throughout the nation.

Paige kicked off the day by meeting with U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter, U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne, U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, Gov. Mike Johanns, state Education Commissioner Doug Christensen and members of the state board of education to provide an overview of the law and hear more about Nebraska's accountability system.

He also participated in a Capitol Forum with students from across Nebraska at the state capitol in Lincoln, and later toured the Skinner Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts School in Omaha.

"I've been traveling the across the country talking and listening to state leaders, parents, educators and others about the importance of the No Child Left Behind Act and my desire to be a full partner with states to help them implement this historic law," Paige said. "Those conversations have been very productive.

"Today, I'm proud to be in the great state of Nebraska to learn more about the state's efforts to achieve the requirements of this law and how we can work together to reach our common goal: to ensure every child receives a high-quality education."

No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students, based on what works. Foremost among the four key principles is an insistence on stronger accountability for results. To achieve that, states must develop strong accountability systems or improve those already in place, establish high standards and hold all children to the same standards. They also must provide instruction by highly qualified teachers that results in steady progress and ultimately, proficiency for all students by the 2013-14 school year.

Paige also discussed the Bush administration's investments in education in Nebraska.

President Bush's FY 2004 budget increases federal education funding in Nebraska to nearly $274 million -- $47 million more than when the president took office.

The president's budget provides more than $102.4 million to help Nebraska implement the reforms of No Child Left Behind; increases Title I funding to more than $43.6 million -- $9.7 million over 2001 levels -- to help Nebraska's neediest children; increases special education grants for Nebraska to more than $62.4 million, a $19 million increase over 2001 levels; and provides nearly $67 million in federal Pell grants to help needy students pay for a college education.

The president's budget also provides access to more than $3.5 million in Reading First funding to ensure that every child in Nebraska learns to read by the third grade; provides more than $13.8 million to attract and retain highly qualified teachers in Nebraska classrooms; and provides more than $4.4 million for annual assessments so that every parent in Nebraska will know how well their children are learning and where they need improvement.

More information about the No Child Left Behind Act is available at www.nochildleftbehind.gov.

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