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April 7, 2005

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings meets with state school chiefs at Mt. Vernon to discuss a "common sense" approach to NCLB.

Clip #1:   Listen (:15)   Download(1.7mb)

Transcript: Today we announce Raising Achievement: A New Path for No Child Left Behind. It will show us the way forward given what we've learned in the past three years. It will focus on results—raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap.

Clip #2:   Listen (:15)   Download(1.7mb)

Transcript: In our opinion, using a workable, flexible approach by looking at academic achievement first is the way it should be. That is, after all, is the purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act, with a particular focus on the achievement gap.

Clip #3:   Listen (:13)   Download(1.4mb)

Transcript: Many of you have your own issues. In short, we're willing to consider requests, as long as the results for students are there and the principles of the law are followed—what I often refer to as the "bright lines" of the statute.

Clip #4:   Listen (:18)   Download(2.0mb)

Transcript: Every state does some things well. But we cannot be satisfied with that alone. We are all working too hard not to work smart. The Department of Education is in a good position and has a responsibility to evaluate and help replicate successful policies.

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