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It's an honor to be here today. One of the best parts about being secretary of education is that I get to visit schools across the country. But today is extra special because I get to visit a school in Virginia--the state where I live, where I vote, and where my two daughters go to school.

Both my daughters had the same answer when I asked them what school I should visit in Virginia. "Anywhere but mine." So needless to say, they were pretty happy when you invited me to Huguenot High School. I was happy too because this is an impressive place, and that's a credit to your principal, Mr. Brown.

It's also a credit to you and your teachers. I had the chance to visit a few of your classes today. And what impressed me most was your appetite for learning. So I'm going to keep this short because I know you all want to get back to class as soon as possible.

Today, I want to talk about how we can make sure you and your fellow students across the country leave high school ready for college and the workforce of the 21st century. I know Governor Warner agrees this is a pressing concern. He has made improving high schools a top priority. And I want to thank him for his leadership at the National Governors Association and for spreading the message that we need to focus on our high schools.

I have worked for two governors--one ended up being president--and I know that the real action in education reform is at the state level. Governors see the big picture. They know the best jobs go to states with the best education systems. So thanks for your good work, Governor Warner. When it comes to education, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We're all just concerned educators, parents, community members, and business leaders. And we want you to leave this school prepared for the "real world."

The president and I believe every student can achieve and be successful in life. And we know that starts with a quality education. No Child Left Behind says that we should hold schools accountable for the success of every student. And it says we need to measure student progress each year. Now, I know students sometimes shudder when they hear words like "measure" and "assess" and "test." I did too when I was your age. But let me assure you we're not testing you because we like to see you squirm. We're testing because we want to help you. And we can't help you unless we know where you need help. Annual assessments give us that valuable information.

We can already see the strategy is working. Across the country, scores are rising; the achievement gap is closing; and fewer children are falling behind. Here in Richmond in 2002, the gap between the percentage of white and black fifth-graders meeting state standards in math was 40 points. Last year, that gap shrunk to only 16 points. That's impressive progress. By comparison, in Fairfax County where my younger daughter attends middle school, that same gap is still 27 percentage points. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, just so long as we're all working toward the same goal. And that's leaving no child behind.

We've learned a new equation: "Accountability plus high expectations plus resources equals results." See you're not the only ones who have to memorize formulas.

Now we want to extend the benefits of No Child Left Behind to our high schools. The first set of No Child Left Behind reforms focused on our younger grades. It made sense to start with grades 3–8 because we want to make sure students develop the fundamental learning skills at a young age. Now we want to finish the job in our high schools.

We face serious challenges. Across the country, only 68 out of every 100 ninth-graders graduate from high school on time. And only 27 of those original 100 students are still enrolled in college in their sophomore year. I'm not telling you these numbers to scare you. I'm telling you them because I know we can do better. And we need to do better when you consider that 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs will require at least some college education. We want to make sure you are prepared for those jobs.

The president and I believe a high school diploma should set you on the path for success in the 21st century. That's why we have proposed a $1.5 billion High School Initiative. The initiative will allow high schools to develop timely intervention programs to help save students at risk of falling behind or dropping out. We want students to start high school on the right note so we can make sure everyone graduates on time.

As part of this initiative, we will also ask states to expand annual testing. We want to measure student progress in at least three grades during high school so we can ensure no one falls behind just as they're nearing the finish line.

We know how hard it is to reach that finish line if you have trouble reading. Fortunately, there's a lot of good scientific research on teaching students to read. We just need to make sure that research makes it to the classroom where it can help students. That's why the president has proposed increasing funding for our Striving Readers program to $200 million. This investment will provide teachers with proven methods for helping middle and high school students learn to read.

In addition, business leaders have told us that math skills will be in demand in the 21st-century economy. Yet almost two-thirds of employers give high school graduates fair to poor marks in math. And recent studies have shown that our students lag behind their peers across the world in problem solving. We must close this skills gap. That's why the president has proposed a $120 million Secondary Education Mathematics Initiative to strengthen the quality of middle and high school math. You're already on the right track at this school with 87 percent of students meeting state standards in math, and I know you are focused on bringing that number up to 100 percent.

We also need to make sure you leave this building ready to take the next step in your lives. You should graduate with the skills to succeed in college or the ever more competitive workforce of the 21st century. We want you to have all of your options on the table.

So it's crucial that you take a rigorous schedule of core academic courses like English, foreign language, social studies, and math and science, including Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2, biology, chemistry, and physics. The president has proposed a new Enhanced Pell Grants for State Scholars program, which would reward low-income students who complete a rigorous high school course load with up to an additional $1,000 for their first two years of college. If you work hard in high school, college should be within your reach.

And nothing prepares a student for college like advanced course work. So we want to expand Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. The president's new budget increases funding for these programs by 73 percent.

And like Governor Warner, the president also believes that high school students who take college-level courses should be able to receive credit toward a postsecondary degree. The new $125 million Community College Access program will help states expand dual enrollment programs like those you have here in Virginia.

We all have high hopes for every one of you. I know your administrators and teachers share our optimism. We want you to achieve your full potential. And together, I am confident we can realize the promise of No Child Left Behind. So pay attention to your teachers. Study hard, and try your best. And as a mother, I can't help but remind you to listen to your parents. They want what is best for you.

Again, thank you for inviting me today. It's been an honor. And I wish you the best of luck in the future. Thank you.

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