January 9, 2003

Washington, D.C. — Senator Chris Dodd yesterday joined several of his Democratic colleagues in taking the Bush administration to task for its failure to adequately fund the No Child Left Behind Act, legislation co-authored by Dodd that helps ensure educational opportunities for those American students most in need. The act was signed into law one year ago today.

"We all know about reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, but there is a fourth 'R,' resources, and we need these resources to provide quality education for Connecticut's children," said Dodd. "It is tragic that within a month of signing this act into law, the President moved away from that commitment of resources. Without the resources to make them work, educational reforms will not help students in low-performing schools."

The President's budget would fund programs for struggling school districts in Connecticut and across the nation at a level of only 40 percent of what is necessary. The budget would also cut $90 million from the act, freezing funding for hiring and training of quality teachers, after-school programs and initiatives to keep drugs and violence out of public schools.

Dodd joined a number of Democratic Senators in sending a letter to President Bush asking for a $4.5 billion increase in educational funding for fiscal year 2003. Federal resources are more critical now than ever in light of growing state budget deficits and education cuts.

See More:
View photos from January 8, 2003 press conference
Multimedia:
Listen to Dodd's statement