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News
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2003 |
CONTACTS:
Heather Valentine or Dave Schnittger Telephone: (202) 225-4527 |
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Boehner Praises President Bush for Education Budget Announcement, Challenges Education Reform Opponents to Use Funds to Get Results WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement regarding President George W. Bush's decision to propose significant spending increases for the No Child Left Behind Act in his forthcoming budget, on top of the major increases that have already been provided as a result of the historic No Child Left Behind education reform legislation: "Today's announcement by President Bush demonstrates he remains committed to providing generous funding for public education -- linked to high standards and accountability -- even in a time of war and economic uncertainty. It is great news for the states, principals, and schoolteachers across America who are leading by example in answering the President's call to close the achievement gap in education and ensure every child reads by the third grade. And it's a challenge to those in the education establishment who say they won't even try to meet high standards for our children unless they get more money -- a shameful stance that does a disservice to millions of children across the country who deserve the chance to learn and succeed. "The American people strongly agree with President Bush that money alone is not the answer to the problems facing our children's schools. High standards and accountability for results -- not just spending -- are the key to erasing the achievement gap in education. "The federal government is now spending far more money than at any other time in history for elementary and secondary education -- which means it's more important than ever that states and federally-funded schools use these funds to get results for our children. A lot is being spent -- and a lot is being expected. "These major spending increases come on top of the large increases provided a year ago upon enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, including a 35 percent increase in federal support for school teachers to help states put a highly qualified teacher in every public classroom. "This news is significant, because the administration is technically under no obligation to provide such large increases for the No Child Left Behind Act. Contrary to the false claims made by some, the No Child Left Behind Act did not promise any specific overall funding amount beyond the large increases that were provided in FY 2002. The new law authorizes only 'such sums as may be required' overall to implement No Child Left Behind in FY2003, FY2004, and beyond. In the months since No Child Left Behind became law, Democrat leaders have repeatedly said they want more spending than the President has proposed, but they've never explained where the money would come from. "No one has ever said education reform will be easy. But our nation's children are worth every ounce of effort. I congratulate the President for this decision. And I commend the teachers and principals across the nation who are using these resources to bring about education results for the children who are our nation's future." In 2002, the nonpartisan Education Leaders Council (http://www.educationleaders.org) launched the "Following the Leaders" project to highlight states and schools that are leading by example in implementing the high standards and accountability called for in the No Child Left Behind Act. Alaska, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia are among the states participating in the effort. For more information, contact the Education Leaders Council at (202) 261-2605. # # # # # |