More Resources Paige's Remarks

Washington — Saying "I know we are on the right path," outgoing U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today looked back on the first four years of a "nascent educational revolution" that has led to improved test scores and a shrinking achievement gap in the nation's elementary and middle school classrooms.

In a Farewell Address to the Heritage Foundation, Paige also called for the principles and reforms of the No Child Left Behind Act to "be applied to our ninth-, 10th- and 11th-graders as soon as possible."

"This is a revolution to bring about higher standards and great expectations," Paige said. "And I don't just mean in our schools—the expectations revolution has hit Washington, too."

Paige praised President Bush for "breaking the ice" on federal education policy. "He and I came to Washington to effect change," Paige said. "Because he acted, our schools are working harder than ever before to reach and to teach every child—to leave no child behind."

Paige extolled the No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed by President Bush in January 2002, for making education "more accountable to its customers: children and their parents."

"Today, for the first time, all 50 states have accountability plans in place," he said. "We have empowered parents—and taxpayers—with timely and accurate information."

Paige also noted the law's inclusion of choice. "It is an integral part of No Child Left Behind," he said. "It is now an indelible part of the education lexicon. That couldn't have been said four years ago. This administration has put school choice on the books."

Looking forward, Paige said there was still much work to be done to improve education and close the achievement gap. "Our 15-year-olds lag behind the rest of the world in mathematics and problem-solving skills," Paige said. "By 12th grade, African Americans are typically four years behind white and Asian students. Hispanics are doing only slightly better."

"This year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision," Paige added. "Fifty years later, we are still struggling. Access has not always meant achievement. Equality requires quality—a quality education for all."

Paige reminded the audience that education in America remains driven by states and local school districts, not the federal government. "No Child Left Behind preserves local control," he said. "In the interest of federalism, we lit a fire under the states to fulfill their Constitutional responsibility and lead—truly lead—on education."

Paige also offered praise for charter schools, which "this administration has steadfastly supported." "[Charter] schools often have to work twice as hard to help [their students] catch up. Yet there are some who root for their failure," he said. "Shame on them."

Paige commended incoming Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, calling her "more than equal to the task." "We've done some great work here over the last four years, and it will be up to my very able successor to continue our reforms," he added.

In closing, Paige, a former public school teacher and administrator, said he would "carry on my life's work: helping to improve the lives of America's youths. I will be working toward that mission from a different vantage point, but it is still a cause near and dear to my heart.

"I will be watching our progress, beaming from ear to ear, as our children show the world it can be done."

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