[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 16 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Page 579]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the No Child Left Behind Act

April 22, 2008

    Today Education Secretary Margaret Spellings took an important step 
towards strengthening and improving the No Child Left Behind Act. In the 
6 years since its enactment, this law has delivered real results for 
students across the country. Students are achieving record math and 
reading scores, and African American and Hispanic students are making 
significant progress, posting alltime high scores in a number of 
categories.
    No Child Left Behind was a bipartisan achievement. Unfortunately, at 
this time, Congress hasn't made noteworthy progress toward strengthening 
the law. In January, I indicated that the Secretary should move forward 
on reforms she can undertake administratively if Congress fails to act.
    Secretary Spellings's announced package of regulations and pilot 
programs will address the dropout crisis in America, strengthen 
accountability, improve our lowest performing schools, and ensure that 
more students get access to high-quality tutoring. Her actions build on 
a series of administrative steps we've taken to provide additional 
flexibility to strengthen and improve the law to ensure continued 
progress toward the goal of every child reading and doing math at grade 
level by 2014.