<<

36 Jan. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

Remarks on Implementation of the But I want to repeat some of the things No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 I said yesterday. First of all, I know the folks in Crawford, , won’t believe this, but January 9, 2002 is an able, good man. [Laugh- ter] This bill would not have happened had Thank you all so very much for that warm he decided not to work to make it happen. welcome. It’s really great to be here with so He put his mind to it. I learned this: You many men and women who have made edu- cation your life’s work. want him on your side in a legislative battle. Yesterday I had the high honor of signing I also want to thank George Miller from H.R. 1—the No Child Left Behind Act— the State of . George is a proud which begins a new and hopeful era for liberal, but also he’s a proud author of this American . We’re bringing new re- bill. He cares deeply about a system that sources and higher standards to struggling quits on its kids—he wants to change it. I schools. We’re placing greater emphasis on like him so much, I gave him a nickname: the basics of and math. And we’re Big George. [Laughter] giving parents better information and more But I’ve enjoyed working with these two say in how their sons and daughters are edu- Democrats. They are a credit to their party cated. but, more importantly, a credit to our coun- Two decades ago, experts looked at public try. education and saw ‘‘A Nation At Risk.’’ A na- Yesterday I signed the bill in Chairman tion described at risk is now a nation on the Boehner’s district. [Applause] I knew road to reform. Boehner had a big family; I didn’t realize it I am so proud of what our administration was that big. [Laughter] I did so because and Members of Congress from both polit- John was a steady influence in the process; ical parties have achieved. We have shown he kept the process moving forward, even what is possible in , DC. We have in the face of 9/11. He said, ‘‘We’ve got to shown that if you put the Nation’s interests get a bill,’’ and he worked hard to bring peo- ahead of political party, you can achieve ple together to get it done. Mr. Chairman, mighty, mighty reform. you did a fabulous job, and I thank you. The House and the Senate passed edu- I want to thank the other Members of cation legislation by overwhelming margins. Congress who are here. Mike Castle is here I signed the legislation into law. And now from the State of ; Van Hilleary much of the real work begins. Now we must from ; from Geor- turn our principles into progress and gia; from ; Bobby Scott progress into excellence and excellence into from ; and a delegate from Puerto the lives of hope and achievement. Rico, Delegate Anibal Acevedo-Vila. Thank I want to thank Secretary and you for all coming here today. all who work at the Department of Edu- And then we’re going to pass some of the cation. America is getting to know that I power—as you know, you’ll hear soon—out picked a good man to be the Secretary of of Washington, and it’s going to be up to Education. The guy is down to Earth. He’s the Governors to make things happen. And got a lot of experience. He ran a huge school fortunately, we’ve got four fine Governors district in the State of Texas and brought ex- with us today: Roy Barnes of ; Sila cellence, the standard of excellence, into Calderon of Puerto Rico; Mark Schweiker of classrooms in , Texas. ; and my brother. Thank you all I want to thank three of the four members for coming. of our merry band of travelers. [Laughter] Republicans and Democrats share the Yesterday we went around parts of our coun- same basic commitments on education. We try together. It was my honor to travel with believe good public schools should not be is- Miller and Boehner and Kennedy and Judd lands of excellence. They should be found Gregg. I figure Judd got tired of hearing us, in every city and in every neighborhood in so he peeled off. [Laughter] America. We believe that no child should

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 07:57 Jan 15, 2002 Jkt 197250 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.011 pfrm07 PsN: P02JAT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Jan. 9 37

ever be written off, because every child is ham, New Hampshire, and Boston, Massa- important, and every child can learn. chusetts. I was with parents and who We believe education is a national priority know the faces and names and needs of their and a local responsibility, that Washington own children. Local schools now have a man- should be giving our schools help, not giving date to reform, and we are giving them the them orders. We share these convictions, and freedom to reform. we have acted on them. We have given new It is the job of the local folks to chart the tools of reform to teachers and principals, path for excellence for every single child in local and State officials, and parents. Now America, and we trust them to do so. As a we must finish the job. result of this bill, local officials now have un- We have a great task to complete, and ev- precedented flexibility to decide where to eryone has responsibilities to meet. Those re- spend money and target reforms. We are in- sponsibilities begin in the classroom. The No creasing support and funding for research Child Left Behind Act provides new training into teaching methods that work. And we will opportunities for teachers to develop their spend almost $400 million to help States de- professional skills and their knowledge. The sign and administer tests. In return, we ex- law gives incentives to hire and train teach- pect States to set standards of basic knowl- ers, and it backs up teachers who impose rea- edge and to make steady progress toward sonable discipline in their classrooms. We meeting those standards. Every student in want teachers in charge of their classrooms, grades three through eight will be tested in not plaintiff’s attorneys. reading and math. We’re also putting more resources into the Every time I talk about testing, I some- classroom. This year, the Federal Govern- times see people wince—particularly, the ment will spend more than $22 billion on students. They don’t like to take tests. elementary and secondary education, an in- [Laughter] My attitude is, too bad. [Laugh- crease of more than 25 percent over last year. ter] How can you correct problems if you Because of our commitment to assist low in- do not diagnose the problem in the first come students, we will increase spending on place? Title I by 18 percent. Because teachers are In order to make sure children are not sim- so important, we will increase spending on ply shuffled through the system, we must training by 33 percent. And because measure. We must determine what needs to reading is the gateway to all learning, we will be corrected early, before it’s too late. States more than triple Federal funding for early must show us that overall student achieve- reading programs. We are willing to spend ment is improving, and as importantly, they more for education, and we will spend it on must show that the achievement gap be- what works. tween the disadvantaged students and other In return for this commitment, my admin- students is closing. And in particular, in istration and the American people expect re- grades three through eight, all school dis- sults. We expect every child to learn basic tricts—I mean all school districts—must skills. We expect failing schools to be turned show that students can read and write effec- around. We expect teachers and principals tively. to do their jobs well, to have a firm grasp I expect most schools will rise to the chal- on their subject matter, and to welcome lenge. I believe that. Some may not, and they measurement and accountability. must be held accountable. They will have All who have chosen the noble profession time to improve; they will have incentives to of teaching should know this: We are count- improve; and they will have the resources to ing on your energy and your imagination to improve, as a result of this bill. And if they make these reforms real for America’s chil- still do not improve, there are real con- dren. You have our confidence, and you’ll sequences and new options for parents. have our support. The local and State officials in charge of Local and State officials have responsibil- America’s schools carry a great trust, and we ities, as well. Yesterday, I mentioned, I went really are counting on you all. You are the to Hamilton, . Then we went to Dur- rising generation of reformers. You can serve

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 07:57 Jan 15, 2002 Jkt 197250 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.011 pfrm07 PsN: P02JAT4 38 Jan. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

your community, and you can serve your Thank you. country. Do not settle for mediocrity. Accept no excuses. Set high goals and raise them NOTE: The President spoke at 1:28 p.m. at DAR again and keep raising the standards. That Constitution Hall. In his remarks, he referred to is the task of leadership, and we trust you Gov. Roy E. Barnes of Georgia; Gov. Sila M. to take it on. Calderon of Puerto Rico; Gov. Mark Schweiker The success of these reforms also depends of Pennsylvania; and Gov. of . on parents. To be a mom or a dad is to be The President also referred to Title I of the Im- proving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (Public your child’s first and most important teacher. Law No. 103–382), which amended Title I of the So under this new law, parents will have the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 information they need to do what is best for (Public Law No. 89–10). their children. Parents will have access to an annual report card on school performance. And they’ll have access to statewide results. Statement on the Comprehensive They will know the qualifications of the Everglades Restoration Plan teachers and their children’s achievements in January 9, 2002 key subjects. If schools persistently fail their children, parents will have more options: a On June 4, 2001, I joined the Governor better public school, a , or a of Florida in visiting the Everglades. The Ev- tutor. erglades and the entire south Florida eco- In return, we expect that parents will use system are a unique national treasure. The this information. Parents need to pay atten- restoration of this ecosystem is a priority for tion to school performance. They should in- my administration, as well as for Governor sist on results, and when necessary, they Bush. Today we are very pleased to solidify must be strong advocates for change. They our commitment and full partnership in this should offer praise when they can and pres- unprecedented endeavor by signing a joint sure when it’s called for. If you’re a parent, agreement to ensure that adequate water visit your child’s school; get to know the supplies will be available to benefit State and teachers and principals; support the school; federally owned natural resources. and demand excellence. And remember that The Water Resources Development Act of every child should come to school ready to 2000 authorized the Comprehensive Ever- learn. Good manners and respect for teach- glades Restoration Plan. The plan has a pro- ers are learned at home. Good study habits jected cost of $7.8 billion over 30 years, the are reinforced by mothers and fathers who largest ecosystem restoration project ever un- are willing to switch off the TV set and turn dertaken. The plan establishes a unique 50/ off video games to make sure the homework 50 cost-sharing partnership between the gets done. As parents, you’re entitled to ex- State of Florida and the Federal Govern- pect a lot from schools and teachers, and ment. schools and teachers are entitled to expect A critical component of the plan relates some things from you, as well. to the supply and management of water for This Nation has waited many years for multiple uses in south Florida—restoration, major reform in education. We’ve now municipal, agricultural, and flood control. achieved it. And we’re wasting no time in The Congress determined that the over- implementing it. Tonight Secretary Paige will arching objective of the plan is the restora- meet with State education leaders on plans tion, preservation, and protection of the to put these reforms to work. south Florida ecosystem, while providing for This is an hour of promise for America’s other water-related needs of the region, in- public schools. My signature is now on the cluding water supply and flood protection. law, but it was the work of many hands. To- Because the Federal Government’s pri- gether, we have overcome old arguments and mary interest is in restoration and protection outdated policies. And now, together, let us of the federally owned natural resources in see these changes through until every school the State, the Congress called for the Presi- succeeds and no child is left behind. dent and the Governor to agree formally that

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 07:57 Jan 15, 2002 Jkt 197250 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.011 pfrm07 PsN: P02JAT4