    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [January 9, 2002]
    [Pages 34-37]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
    January 9, 2002

        Thank you all so very much for that warm welcome. It's really great
    to be here with so many men and women who have made education your
    life's work.
        Yesterday I had the high honor of signing H.R. 1, the No Child Left
    Behind Act, which begins a new and hopeful era for American education.
    We're bringing new resources and higher standards to struggling schools.
    We're placing greater emphasis on the basics of reading and math. And
    we're giving parents better information and more say in how their sons
    and daughters are educated.
        Two decades ago, experts looked at public education and saw ``A
    Nation At Risk.'' A nation described at risk is now a nation on the road
    to reform.
        I am so proud of what our administration and Members of Congress
    from both political parties have achieved. We have shown what is
    possible in Washington, DC. We have shown that if you put the Nation's
    interests ahead of political party, you can achieve mighty, mighty
    reform.
        The House and the Senate passed education legislation by
    overwhelming margins. I signed the legislation into law. And now much of
    the real work begins. Now we must turn our principles into progress and
    progress into excellence and excellence into the lives of hope and
    achievement.
        I want to thank Secretary Rod Paige
    and all who work at the Department of Education. America is getting to
    know that I picked a good man to be the Secretary of Education. The guy
    is down to earth. He's got a lot of experience. He ran a huge school
    district in the State of Texas and brought excellence, the standard of
    excellence, into classrooms in Houston, Texas.
        I want to thank three of the four members of our merry band of
    travelers. [Laughter] Yesterday we went around parts of our country
    together. It was my honor to travel with Miller and Boehner and
    Kennedy and Judd Gregg. I figure Judd got tired of hearing us, so he peeled off.
    [Laughter]
        But I want to repeat some of the things I said yesterday. First of
    all, I know the folks in Crawford, Texas, won't believe this, but Ted
    Kennedy is an able, good man. [Laughter] This
    bill would not have happened had he decided not to work to make it
    happen. He put his mind to it. I learned this: You want him on your side
    in a legislative battle.
        I also want to thank George Miller from
    the State of California. George is a proud liberal, but also he's a
    proud author of this bill. He cares deeply about a system that quits on
    its kids--he wants to change it. I like him so much, I gave him a
    nickname, ``Big George.'' [Laughter]
        But I've enjoyed working with these two Democrats. They are a credit
    to their party but, more importantly, a credit to our country.
        Yesterday I signed the bill in Chairman Boehner's district. [Applause] I knew Boehner had a big family; I
    didn't realize it was that big. [Laughter] I did so because John was a
    steady influence in the process; he kept the process moving forward,
    even in the face of 9/11. He said, ``We've got to get a bill,'' and he
    worked hard to bring

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    people together to get it done. Mr. Chairman, you did a fabulous job,
    and I thank you.
        I want to thank the other Members of Congress who are here: Mike
    Castle is here from the State of Delaware;
    Van Hilleary from Tennessee; Johnny
    Isakson from Georgia; Tim Roemer from Indiana; Bobby Scott
    from Virginia; and a delegate from Puerto Rico, Delegate Anibal Acevedo-
    Vila. Thank you for all coming here
    today.
        And then we're going to pass some of the power, as you know--you'll
    hear soon--out of Washington, and it's going to be up to the Governors
    to make things happen. And fortunately, we've got four fine Governors
    with us today: Roy Barnes of Georgia; Sila
    Calderon of Puerto Rico; Mark
    Schweiker of Pennsylvania; and my
    brother. Thank you all for coming.
        Republicans and Democrats share the same basic commitments on
    education. We believe good public schools should not be islands of
    excellence. They should be found in every city and in every neighborhood
    in America. We believe that no child should ever be written off, because
    every child is important, and every child can learn. We believe
    education is a national priority and a local responsibility, that
    Washington should be giving our schools help, not giving them orders. We
    share these convictions, and we have acted on them. We have given new
    tools of reform to teachers and principals, local and State officials,
    and parents. Now we must finish the job.
        We have a great task to complete, and everyone has responsibilities
    to meet. Those responsibilities begin in the classroom. The No Child
    Left Behind Act provides new training opportunities for teachers to
    develop their professional skills and their knowledge. The law gives
    incentives to hire and train teachers, and it backs up teachers who
    impose reasonable discipline in their classrooms. We want teachers in
    charge of their classrooms, not plaintiff's attorneys.
        We're also putting more resources into the classroom. This year, the
    Federal Government will spend more than $22 billion on elementary and
    secondary education, an increase of more than 25 percent over last year.
    Because of our commitment to assist low-income students, we will
    increase spending on Title I by 18 percent. Because teachers are so
    important, we will increase spending on teacher training by 33 percent.
    And because reading is the gateway to all learning, we will more than
    triple Federal funding for early reading programs. We are willing to
    spend more for education, and we will spend it on what works.
        In return for this commitment, my administration and the American
    people expect results. We expect every child to learn basic skills. We
    expect failing schools to be turned around. We expect teachers and
    principals to do their jobs well, to have a firm grasp on their subject
    matter, and to welcome measurement and accountability.
        All who have chosen the noble profession of teaching should know
    this: We are counting on your energy and your imagination to make these
    reforms real for America's children. You have our confidence, and you'll
    have our support.
        Local and State officials have responsibilities, as well. Yesterday,
    I mentioned, I went to Hamilton, Ohio. Then we went to Durham, New
    Hampshire, and Boston, Massachusetts. I was with parents and teachers
    who know the faces and names and needs of their own children. Local
    schools now have a mandate to reform, and we are giving them the freedom
    to reform.
        It is the job of the local folks to chart the path for excellence
    for every single child in America, and we trust them to do so. As a
    result of this bill, local officials now have unprecedented flexibility
    to decide where to spend money and target reforms. We are increasing
    support and funding for research into teaching methods that work. And we
    will spend almost $400 million to help States design and administer

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    tests. In return, we expect States to set standards of basic knowledge
    and to make steady progress toward meeting those standards. Every
    student in grades three through eight will be tested in reading and
    math.
        Every time I talk about testing, I sometimes see people wince--
    particularly the students. They don't like to take tests. [Laughter] My
    attitude is, too bad. [Laughter] How can you correct problems if you do
    not diagnose the problem in the first place?
        In order to make sure children are not simply shuffled through the
    system, we must measure. We must determine what needs to be corrected
    early, before it's too late. States must show us that overall student
    achievement is improving, and as importantly, they must show that the
    achievement gap between the disadvantaged students and other students is
    closing. And in particular, in grades three through eight, all school
    districts--I mean all school districts--must show that students can read
    and write effectively.
        I expect most schools will rise to the challenge. I believe that.
    Some may not, and they must be held accountable. They will have time to
    improve; they will have incentives to improve; and they will have the
    resources to improve, as a result of this bill. And if they still do not
    improve, there are real consequences and new options for parents.
        The local and State officials in charge of America's schools carry a
    great trust, and we really are counting on you all. You are the rising
    generation of reformers. You can serve your community, and you can serve
    your country. Do not settle for mediocrity. Accept no excuses. Set high
    goals, and raise them again, and keep raising the standards. That is the
    task of leadership, and we trust you to take it on.
        The success of these reforms also depends on parents. To be a mom or
    a dad is to be your child's first and most important teacher. So under
    this new law, parents will have the information they need to do what is
    best for their children. Parents will have access to an annual report
    card on school performance. And they'll have access to statewide
    results. They will know the qualifications of the teachers and their
    children's achievements in key subjects. If schools persistently fail
    their children, parents will have more options: a better public school,
    a charter school, or a tutor.
        In return, we expect that parents will use this information. Parents
    need to pay attention to school performance. They should insist on
    results, and when necessary, they must be strong advocates for change.
    They should offer praise when they can and pressure when it's called
    for. If you're a parent, visit your child's school; get to know the
    teachers and principals; support the school; and demand excellence. And
    remember that every child should come to school ready to learn. Good
    manners and respect for teachers are learned at home. Good study habits
    are reinforced by mothers and fathers who are willing to switch off the
    TV set and turn off video games to make sure the homework gets done. As
    parents, you're entitled to expect a lot from schools and teachers, and
    schools and teachers are entitled to expect some things from you as
    well.
        This Nation has waited many years for major reform in education.
    We've now achieved it. And we're wasting no time in implementing it.
    Tonight Secretary Paige will meet with State education leaders on plans
    to put these reforms to work.
        This is an hour of promise for America's public schools. My
    signature is now on the law, but it was the work of many hands.
    Together, we have overcome old arguments and outdated policies. And now,
    together, let us see these changes through until every school succeeds
    and no child is left behind.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:28 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall. In his
    remarks, he

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    referred to Gov. Roy E. Barnes of Georgia; Gov. Sila M. Calderon of
    Puerto Rico; Gov. Mark Schweiker of Pennsylvania; and Gov. Jeb Bush of
    Florida. The President also referred to Title I of the Improving
    America's Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law No. 103-382), which amended
    Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public
    Law No. 89-10). H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, approved
    January 8, was assigned Public Law No. 107-110.