This letter to the editor by the Secretary's Regional Representative Chlouber appeared in the Provo (UT) Daily Herald on January 26, 2007.

Critics of the No Child Left Behind Act are quick to point out what they believe is wrong with the law while overlooking its many successes.

NCLB has proven successful in helping to close our nation's achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, more reading progress was made from 1999-2004 than in the previous 28 years combined. Math scores for young children have reached new heights.

NCLB has proven successful in helping to close our nation's achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, more reading progress was made from 1999-2004 than in the previous 28 years combined. Math scores for young children have reached new heights.

Has the law been underfunded, as your newspaper charges? Not at all. Total federal education funding for Utah has increased a whopping 58 percent since President Bush took office.

The trouble is, your editorial mistakes the law's strengths for failures. Yes, schools are expected to improve the academic performance of students with disabilities and non-English speakers. Yes, teachers must be highly qualified and know the subjects they teach. Is this not what we want from a public education?

The truth is, NCLB will remain the law of the land as long as Utahns and all Americans wish to see their children taught to the highest possible standards.

Patricia Chlouber
Secretary's Regional Representative, Region VIII
Denver, CO