This letter to the editor by Secretary Rod Paige appeared in Foster's Daily Democrat (New Hampshire) on September 9, 2003.
Re: "When will feds be accountable to taxpayers?" (Editorial, August 31):
No Child Left Behind has provided states and local school districts with tremendous new flexibility and unprecedented resources for reform. Despite all of the priorities competing for our tax dollars, President Bush's budget boosts federal education funding to $53.1 billion. New Hampshire alone will receive more than $167 million, including $62.9 million to implement No Child Left Behind. This includes $4 million annually for assessments. Never in the history of our country has the federal government spent so much on education. This law has funded the measures it requires.
At the same time we are dramatically increasing funding and flexibility, the law also insists that schools be held accountable for improving student achievement, especially for minority and low-income students. For the first time, every state is identifying schools that need to improve, offering new options to parents, and providing assistance to help schools get back on track.
I was heartened to read in your article that some New Hampshire schools have already taken steps to identify their weaknesses and improve where necessary. This is exactly what No Child Left Behind is all about: identifying areas for improvement and seeking ways to increase the level of achievement for all students.
The contention that "districts must use 20 percent of the federal grant to help schools (deemed in need of improvement)" does not provide the whole story. In fact, the law requires only that districts reserve up to 20% to give options to parents whose children attend underperforming schools.
If the demand for choice-related transportation and supplemental services is less than 20%, the district has complete discretion to reallocate unused funds to other allowable activities.
Because of the bipartisan No Child Left Behind law, states all across the country are making real progress in achieving our common goal of educating every child, regardless of income, background, or Zip Code. If your readers are interested in learning more, they can visit the No Child Left Behind Web site at www.nclb.gov.
By Rod Page U.S. Secretary of Education
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