ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today approved New Mexico's state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Robert Pasternack, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, made the announcement during a visit to Reginald Chavez Elementary School. He was joined by U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and State School Chief Michael Davis.

"New Mexico's strong accountability plan shows a bold initiative by the state to do what is necessary to ensure that every student in New Mexico -- regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or disabilities -- has equal access to a high-quality education," said Secretary Paige.

"I applaud State School Chief Michael Davis and his team for their leadership."

At the school today, Assistant Secretary Pasternack said, "As someone who spent many years working in education in New Mexico, I am honored to deliver Secretary Paige's announcement about the approval of New Mexico's state accountability plan."

New Mexico's plan for accountability builds on a strong system of rewards and sanctions, thus ensuring that educators will be rewarded for work well done and schools will engage in interventions designed to improve education. As New Mexico continues its efforts to carry out NCLB, it will continue to work to improve its assessments and information systems.

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 to the way the school is run.

New Mexico is the 19th state to gain approval. Other states whose plans have been approved include Rhode Island, New Jersey, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington and 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, which results in steady progress. All students must be proficient by the 2013-14 school year.

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 was on-site peer review of each state's proposed accountability plan. Teams of three peer reviewers -- independent, nonfederal education policy, reform or statistical experts -- conducted each peer review. Following a review of the team's consensus report, the department provides feedback to the state and worked to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, Paige approves the state plan, as he did for New Mexico.

To date, all states, 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 met 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. New Mexico alone will receive more than $482 million, including $252 million to implement NCLB. If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for New Mexico will have gone up $94 million since he took office.

New Mexico's plan will be posted online in the coming days at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/CFP/csas/index.html.

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

###

Top

Back to May 2003