U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Ray Simon today highlighted progress toward No Child Left Behind goals in North Dakota and across the nation at a visit to the state capitol in Bismarck. Simon participated in two roundtable discussions: First, with State Superintendent Wayne Sanstead and officials from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction; and second, with state legislators, and business and education leaders.

"No Child Left Behind changed our national conversation on education forever," said Simon. "Instead of questioning whether or not all students can learn, thanks to this law, we're finally beginning to make sure that every child is learning."

Simon also discussed a new tool recently released by the U.S. Department of Education, Mapping North Dakota's Educational Progress 2008, which provides a look at the state's key No Child Left Behind comparative indicators.

"North Dakota deserves credit for its leadership in improving education. For example, you have developed a strong data system to track student achievement and are among the first states to use an alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards for students with disabilities," said Simon.

Simon also noted that more work is needed to meet the challenges of ensuring access to free tutoring for students who need extra help, and increasing AP exam participation and raising AP test scores among public school students.

To view Mapping North Dakota's Educational Progress 2008, please visit: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/accountability/results/progress/nd.html.

For Mapping Educational Progress 2008, visit http://www.ed.gov/nclb/accountability/results/progress/index.html.

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