PIERRE, S.D. -- U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige today announced that South Dakota has completed its plan for a strong state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Terri Rayburn, deputy assistant secretary for interagency and intergovernmental affairs, made the announcement on behalf of Secretary Paige. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and Interim Secretary Thomas Hawley joined Rayburn for the announcement.

"South Dakota has worked hard to align its accountability system with No Child Left Behind," Secretary Paige said. "I congratulate Gov. Rounds, Interim Secretary Hawley and their teams for their leadership in ensuring that every child in South Dakota has access to a high-quality education."

During the event in Pierre, Rayburn said, "On behalf of Secretary Paige, I am proud to announce that South Dakota is the 31st accountability plan to be approved."

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, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

In addition to South Dakota, other approved accountability plans include Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, 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 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 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 South Dakota.

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 he took office. South Dakota alone will receive more than $202 million, including $108 million to implement NCLB. If President Bush's budget is approved, federal education funding for South Dakota will have gone up $35 million since he took office.

South Dakota'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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