Connellsville, PA — Highlighting more than five years of progress under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond Simon today traveled to Pennsylvania, joining Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18th) and Rep. Bill Shuster (PA-9th) for roundtable discussions with teachers and administrators to discuss ways NCLB can be expanded and improved as Congress prepares to reauthorize the law this year. Deputy Secretary Simon touted the significant achievements of schools and students throughout Pennsylvania since NCLB was enacted.

"Thanks to No Child Left Behind and the dedication of our leaders in Pennsylvania, the future is bright for our nation's students. Each day, our schools and students are demonstrating that this law is working to help close the achievement gap and enhance learning," Deputy Secretary Simon said. "A solid educational foundation is what every parent expects and every child deserves, and I commend the hard work of Pennsylvania's educators toward achieving this goal."

Joining Congressman Tim Murphy in Pittsburgh, Deputy Secretary Simon visited the Chartiers Valley School District to meet with local teachers, principals and administrators. Deputy Secretary Simon joined the Congressman in congratulating the district for their dedication to implementing the core principles of No Child Left Behind on behalf of students.

"Teachers and school administrators in Southwestern Pennsylvania are working hard to ensure our children get the education to help them throughout their lives," said Congressman Tim Murphy. "I appreciate Deputy Secretary Simon coming here today to witness how area school districts are ahead of the curve in creating the next generation of scientists, engineers, writers, and welders. The high standards and accountability at our schools will be an integral part of our future success when it comes to competing for jobs on a global scale."

Also while in Pennsylvania, Deputy Secretary Simon and Congressman Bill Shuster held a roundtable meeting with educators and administrators throughout the Connellsville area. During the discussion, the Deputy Secretary and the Congressman emphasized that to ensure all students, regardless of race, income or zip code, are learning at grade level by 2014, we must stand firm on the core principles of NCLB as Congress prepares to reauthorize the law this year.

"I stand behind the principles of No Child Left Behind. The only acceptable goal for our nation is to ensure that all of our children are learning on grade level. Any other standard is unacceptable," Congressman Shuster said. "As we move toward reauthorization of this landmark legislation, I look forward to working with those in the field; the teachers, administrators and parents to strengthen the law and to meet our joint goal of reaching out and helping every student."

Deputy Secretary Simon commended the educators participating in today's events for their dedication to providing every student with a quality education, citing gains in test scores and progress in closing Pennsylvania's achievement gap. According to Pennsylvania's Annual Report Card, between 2002 and 2004, fifth-grade reading proficiency increased by six percentage points, and mathematics proficiency increased by nine percentage points. The black-white achievement gap in fifth-grade reading narrowed by eight percentage points and narrowed by four percentage points in mathematics.

President Bush's FY 2008 Education Budget builds on the progress of the last six years, focusing on reform and results on behalf of Pennsylvania's children. It will help support the goal of every child reading and doing math on grade level, prepare high school students for success through rigorous and advanced coursework and enable millions of young Americans to afford college. The President's budget request would provide $817 million to help Pennsylvania implement the reforms of NCLB, and increase Title I funding to $561.2 million—$205.6 million over 2001 levels—to help Pennsylvania's neediest children. Additionally, the President's budget would provide $110.2 million to attract and retain highly qualified teachers in Pennsylvania's classrooms.

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