SALEM, Ore. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today approved Oregon's state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Brian Jones, Senior Advisor and General Counsel to Paige, made the announcement during a visit to Lake Labish Elementary School. He was joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo.

"Oregon has worked very hard to integrate an established, in-depth assessment system into the No Child Left Behind requirements," said Secretary Paige. "I commend Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo and her team for their leadership and for taking the bold steps to do what is necessary to ensure that every student in Oregon has equal access to a high-quality education."

"For many years, Oregon's education leaders have recognized the value of a strong assessment system," noted Jones at the school today. "I'm pleased to bring the good news, on behalf of Secretary Paige, about the approval of Oregon's state accountability plan."

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.

Oregon is the 27th state to gain approval. Other states whose plans have been approved include Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

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 onsite 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 provided feedback to the state and worked to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, Paige approved the state plan, as he did for Oregon.

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. Oregon alone will receive more than $518.9 million, including more than $197 million to implement NCLB. If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for Oregon will have gone up $116 million since he took office.

Oregon'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.

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