Posted on 03/13/2004 6:34:55 AM PST by GailA
Washington reaps benefits of No Child Left Behind
By Jennifer Dunn Special to The Times
As public servants — and more importantly parents and grandparents — we have few greater priorities than ensuring a quality education for our children.
Just over two years ago, President Bush signed into law the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act. This landmark legislation has not only resulted in sweeping increases in federal education funding throughout the nation, but also produced educational progress and opportunities for students in our schools.
Washington state has benefited greatly as a result of this legislation, receiving more than $1.6 billion in federal funding, an increase of more than $189 million since Bush took office.
No Child Left Behind was conceived to make certain that all students are receiving the best education possible. We've all heard stories of students in high school who are reading at an elementary level. Or of special-needs students who do not have access to tailored programs to make certain they are appropriately challenged by their coursework.
Federal funding for major elementary and secondary education programs, including special education, has increased 34 percent in just the first two years of implementation. Aid to needy and disadvantaged students has increased to $157 million in our state, nearly $36 million over 2001 levels. All states, including Washington, are receiving record levels of funding because of this act.
No Child Left Behind ensures that we no longer pass children from grade to grade without giving them the skills they need to succeed in life. In 2003, math scores were up for both fourth-graders and eighth-graders across the country, and a higher percentage of fourth-graders tested at or above their grade level. We expect great things of our children, and they have shown that our faith is well-placed.
We know we have placed a great responsibility on our teachers. No Child Left Behind supports the proven teaching methods that are being implemented in schools across our country and gives educators tools for continuing education and classroom equipment. The Bush administration has committed $1.8 billion in grants to provide tens of thousands of teachers with effective reading-instruction methods and materials.
Some argue that there is inadequate funding for the implementation of the program. That is simply not the case. The requirements laid out in No Child Left Behind are completely funded, and several studies show states are receiving more than enough money from the federal government to meet the standards set forth.
In 2003 alone, Washington state received more than $360 million to help schools apply these reforms in order to guarantee all children are exposed to superior educational opportunities. Federal funding for education programs is at a record high in every state in the nation.
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U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Bellevue, represents the 8th Congressional District.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
http://edworkforce.house.gov/press/press107/titleimoney7102.htm Largest Federal Funding Increase in History for K-12 Education Takes Effect, Linked to Reform
Largest Federal Funding Increase in History for K-12 Education Takes Effect, Linked to Reform Billions in New Federal Funds Begin Flowing to States and Local School Districts, Along with New Local Control & Accountability
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As President Bush spoke in Cleveland to emphasize the importance of parental choice in education, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) noted the federal government today begins providing an historic increase in federal education funding as a result of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind education reforms, signed into law in January.
President Bush’s reforms are linked to the largest single-year increase in history for federal elementary and secondary education funding -- a 27 percent increase ($4.8 billion). The increase takes effect on July 1, 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
“Today, as a result of President Bush’s education reforms, parents and taxpayers will begin providing the largest increase in federal K-12 education funding in our nation’s history, along with unprecedented new local control over those funds. In exchange, the system must begin delivering better results for our nation’s children,” Boehner said.
President Bush’s No Child Left Behind reforms have made possible the largest increase in the history of the federal Title I program ($1.5 billion), which provides aid to states and school districts to help educate disadvantaged students. In addition to these Title I increases, school districts can expect significant non-Title I federal funds as well this year for teacher quality, Reading First, Safe & Drug Free Schools, education technology, innovative programs and other grant programs.
Beginning this year, billions in federal education funds will also flow to local school districts with significantly fewer strings attached as a result of No Child Left Behind. Every local school district in America will have new flexibility and decision-making authority in the use of federal education funds. This new local control and flexibility will be a particularly powerful tool for America’s poorest school districts.
In addition, the No Child Left Behind Act requires that new options be given to parents with children in underachieving schools. Beginning this fall, parents with children in thousands of underachieving or dangerous schools nationwide will be given the option of transferring their children to safer or better-achieving public schools, including charter schools. Many will also qualify to obtain supplemental educational services such as private tutoring through their child’s share of Title I funds.
Under the leadership of President Bush, Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together in 2001 to pass a dramatic overhaul of federal education programs, emphasizing accountability for results, new options for parents, and greater flexibility for local school districts. The No Child Left Behind Act (H.R. 1) streamlined the number of federal K-12 education programs from 55 to 45, expanded local control in the use of federal education funds - and targeted billions in new federal funds to America’s poorest schools and poorest students, where they’re needed most.
“Even the unexpected outbreak of war hasn’t deterred President Bush from following through on this commitment,” Boehner said. “Beginning this summer, unprecedented new resources will begin flowing to states and local school districts as a result of No Child Left Behind, along with unprecedented new local control over those funds. Along with these new resources will come new expectations. Every child -- rich, poor, black, white, urban, suburban -- must be given the chance to learn.”
The Congressional Research Service estimates the Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, will receive an increase of more than $80.5 million in federal Title I aid this year as a result of the President’s reforms, from $222,330,676 last year to $302,866,102 this year. This $80.5 million increase represents a 36.2 percent increase over last year, the final funding level provided under the Clinton Administration.
The Rochester (NY) City School District, as another example, is a much smaller district, but will also receive a significant increase in Title I funds this year. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Rochester City Schools will receive an increase of $5,957,357 this year as a result of No Child Left Behind, increasing from $20,761,680 last year to $26,719,037 this year -- an increase of 28.7 percent.
Consequences for failing schools? No child left behind act explained.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/reports/no-child-left-behind.html
Foreword by President George W. Bush
Bipartisan education reform will be the cornerstone of my Administration.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020108.html
Fact Sheet: No Child Left Behind Act
http://www.nctm.org/news/articles/2002-11nb_nochild.htm
No Child Left Behind—What It Means to Teachers
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/nclb/
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the most sweeping education reform bill in 35 years, the No Child Left Behind Act. The Act outlines the requirements and funding levels for Pre-K-12 education programs that identify the expectations that will drive education reform for the next six years. Click here to find out more about the No Child Left Behind Act.
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/overview/intro/index.html OVERVIEW
Introduction: No Child Left Behind
It's called the No Moron Left Behind Act.
Taxing people in Ohio or Vermont to pay for students in Washington doesn't make any sense.
Our educational system has accomplished their goal of keeping minorities from access to the tremendous opportunity available in this country by insuring that minority education is kept to a minimum. If minorities are not educated they can't hurt you and if minorities are dependent on government for subsistence a vote for largess is assured.
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