PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today approved Rhode Island's state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Susan Sclafani, counselor to the secretary, made the announcement in Providence with Gov. Donald L. Carcieri and Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters.

"The state's comprehensive approach to accountability underscores Rhode Island's commitment to quality education and No Child Left Behind," said Secretary Paige. "I applaud Gov. Carcieri and Commissioner McWaltersand his team for their efforts to make sure no child in Rhode Island is left behind."

"Rhode Island is providing valuable information to parents and the public through its rich data system and is setting high expectations for increasing the number of high school graduates across the state," added Sclafani.

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.

Rhode Island is the 18th state to gain approval. Other states whose plans have been approved include 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 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 provides feedback to the state and works to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, Paige approves the state plan, as he did for Rhode Island.

To date, all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have had peer reviews of their accountability plans. Additionally, senior staff of the Department of Education have 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. Rhode Island alone will receive more than $191.5 million, including $78 million to implement NCLB. If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for Rhode Island will have gone up $34 million since he took office.

Rhode Island'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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