PITTSBURGH (May 20) - U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today made two stops in the Pittsburgh area on his No Child Left Behind Tour Across America to stress the importance of helping all children become successful students by providing those who need it with supplemental education services.

Secretary Paige kicked off the day with U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, parents, students and educators at Aliquippa Elementary School just outside Pittsburgh to talk about the supplemental services provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act — the historic new education law that President Bush signed in January 2002 — and how the new provisions could help children at Aliquippa.

Later in the day, he visited the Schenley Heights Community Development Corporation's A-STEP program (After-School Tutorial and Enrichment Program), located in the Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. A-STEP, a state-approved provider of supplemental services under Pennsylvania's unique "Classroom Plus" initiative, serves approximately 100 elementary and middle school children who need extra assistance in reading and math.

"For more than 30 years, parents have had few options when it came to their children's education," said Secretary Paige. "That will not be the case anymore. When schools fail to meet state standards for three years in a row, children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be eligible to obtain supplemental services, including tutoring, remedial education, extra classes, summer school, after-school programs and other supplemental academic services to help boost their achievement."

Under the supplemental services provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, beginning this fall, schools in their second year of needing school improvement (third year of failure to meet achievement goals), corrective action or restructuring, must provide low-income parents (as defined by the school district) with the option of accessing supplemental services for their children.

States must establish a list of approved supplemental service providers by the beginning of the 2002-03 school year. School districts with one or more schools in the second year of school improvement must provide parents with a list of the programs available in the area so parents have a full set of options to find whatever services their children need.

School districts that are required to provide supplemental services must: (1) annually notify parents of the availability of those services, including the identity and qualifications of approved providers and a description of the services they provide; (2) help parents select a provider, if such help is requested; and (3) enter into an agreement with a provider for each student that includes goals and a timetable for improving the student's achievement, regular progress reports and a provision for termination if the provider fails to meet the goals, timetables and payment terms.

Providers with a "demonstrated record of effectiveness," including non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations or for-profit entities, are eligible providers of supplemental services. The provider must be capable of ensuring that the supplemental education services provided are consistent with the instructional program of the district and state's academic standards.

In addition, providers must give parents and the school information on the progress of the children served and meet applicable health, safety and civil rights laws.

The U.S. Department of Education's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will work closely with faith and community organizations, such as the A-STEP program, to ensure that they have access to supplemental service dollars for helping children under the statute requirements.

"Government doesn't have a monopoly on compassion. Some of the most effective programs in America today started just like A-STEP -- neighbors helping neighbors -- motivated by a spiritual imperative to give back, to lift up, and to make a difference," Secretary Paige said.

Secretary Paige began his nationwide tour April 8. In addition to today's activities, Secretary Paige has made visits in Albuquerque, N.M., Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Nev., Southfield, Mich., Milwaukee, and LaCrosse, Wis. Tomorrow, Paige will be in Albany, N.Y., to enlist the support of New Yorkers in leaving no child behind. Other stops will be announced later.

The tour offers resources for parents and school officials about No Child Left Behind. Also launched during this tour is the new Web site www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov, a virtual one-stop shop for parents and families, teachers and principals, local and state officials, and members of the business and civic communities.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, states and school districts will develop strong systems of accountability based upon student performance. The new law also gives states and school districts increased local control and flexibility, removing federal red tape and bureaucracy and putting decision-making in the hands of educators and education leaders at the local and state levels. Parents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds will have options under the new law to participate in public school choice programs or obtain supplemental services such as tutoring. Teachers around the country will be encouraged to use teaching methods based on scientific research that shows they have been proven to work.

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