DOVER, Del.--Delaware has completed work on a plan for a strong state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, U.S. Under Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok announced today.

Hickok made the announcement on behalf of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige during a visit to North Dover Elementary School. Hickok was joined by U.S. Rep. Mike Castle and State Education Secretary Valerie Woodruff.

"Secretary Woodruff and her team have built upon Delaware's existing accountability system to produce an even stronger and more cohesive plan to benefit every child in Delaware," said Hickok.  "I congratulate Secretary Woodruff for this accomplishment.  Delaware is on the cutting edge of using valid data -- on student achievement and graduation rates -- to drive reform.  With these accountability provisions and an impressive system of rewards for achievers and extra help for those who need it, Delaware is firmly on the path to ensuring no child is left behind."

Under NCLB's strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including disadvantaged students, achieve academic proficiency. In addition, they must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform parents and communities about state and school progress. Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services such as free tutoring or after-school assistance, take corrective actions and -- if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years -- must make dramatic changes in the way they operate.

Delaware is the 10th state to gain approval. Other states whose plans have been approved include Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, West Virginia.

No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students, based on what works. Foremost among the four key principles is an insistence on stronger accountability for results. To achieve that, states must develop strong accountability systems or improve those already in place, establish high standards and hold all children to the same standards. They also must provide instruction by highly qualified teachers that results in steady progress and, ultimately, proficiency for all students by the 2013-14 school year.

Secretary Paige recently asserted that the new law aims to correct the "previous and pervasive separate and unequal education systems that taught only some students well while the rest -- mostly poor and mostly minority -- floundered or flunked out."

All states submitted draft accountability plans to the U.S. Department of Education by the Jan. 31 deadline. Following an initial review and technical assistance, if needed, the next step is on-site peer review of each state's proposed accountability plan. Teams of three peer reviewers -- independent, nonfederal education policy, reform or statistical experts -- conduct each peer review. Following a review of the team's consensus report, the department provides feedback to the state and works to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, Paige approves the state plan, as he did today.

To date, 46 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have had peer reviews of their accountability plans.  Additionally, the senior staff of the Department of Education has finished meeting with education officials from the states to discuss the specifics of their plans and the unique challenges and issues in each state. 

Despite all the priorities competing for our tax dollars, President Bush's budget boosts federal education funding to $53.1 billion -- an $11 billion increase since the President took office.  Delaware alone will receive more than $132 million, including $65 million to implement NCLB.  If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for Delaware will have gone up $30.4 million since President Bush took office.

Delaware's plan will be posted online in the coming days at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/
account/stateplans03/index.html.

For more information about the No Child Left Behind Act, go to http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov.

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