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Federal funding for elementary and high Remarks in a Discussion at Pierre school education from about $25 billion in Laclede Elementary School in 2001 to more than $33 billion in 2003, an St. Louis, increase of about 36 percent and the highest level ever. January 5, 2004 We’ve committed $1.8 billion in grants to The President. Well, I’m glad to be here, help train tens of thousands of teachers to Madam Principal. [Laughter] One of the use effective reading instruction methods things you find in a successful school is a and materials. We expect schools to do their strong-willed, smart, capable principal. And job, and we’re helping them to do their job. that’s obviously the case here, and I appre- So there’s no excuse for failure. When we ciate your hospitality. set a high standard, we are showing our belief I’m here at Laclede because this is a school in the capacities of every child. And when that has defied expectations. It’s defied ex- we prepare them to meet a high standard, pectations by raising the bar and believing we’re giving them a better chance in life. that every child can learn. That’s not the case High expectations set children on a path to in some parts of our country, unfortunately. success. I’m pleased to report that the No In some parts of the country, schools just Child Left Behind Act is helping put more shuffle kids through, and that’s not right. of America’s children on that path, so they That’s not the American way. succeed in school and in life. This school is a school that has performed, Thank you for listening. you have to say, brilliantly. Since 1999, 7 per- cent of the kids could read, and now 80 per- cent can read at grade level in the third NOTE: The address was recorded at 9:55 a.m. on grade. That speaks to strong principals; it January 2 at the Bush Ranch in Crawford, TX, speaks to really good teachers. It says this for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 3. The tran- school has got teachers that believe in the script was made available by the Office of the capability of every child. It says the school Press Secretary on January 2 but was embargoed has raised standards and is not afraid to for release until the broadcast. The Office of the measure. Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address. And see, one of the things I’m here to talk about is the No Child Left Behind Act. Laclede has been named a No Child Left— Statement on Afghanistan’s Adoption Blue Ribbon No Child Left Behind School. of a New Constitution And the—inherent in this No Child Left Be- hind Act is the desire to spend Federal January 4, 2004 money and spend it wisely. We’ve increased budgets. The Title I money is up 43 percent I congratulate the people of Afghanistan since 2001—41 percent. The teacher training on the adoption of their new constitution. money is up. The reading program money This document lays the foundation for demo- is up by 4 times. But finally, the Federal Gov- cratic institutions and provides a framework ernment has said, ‘‘Why don’t you show us for national elections in 2004. A democratic whether or not that money is being well- Afghanistan will serve the interests and just spent. Show us whether or not you believe aspirations of all of the Afghan people and every child can learn. Show us whether or help ensure that terror finds no further ref- not objectives are being met.’’ uge in that proud land. This new constitution And this is exactly what’s happening here marks a historic step forward, and we will at Laclede. As I was reminded, Laclede was continue to assist the Afghan people as they doing this before No Child Left Behind Act build a free and prosperous future. was passed. Joyce was quick to point it out.

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[Laughter] She may point it out again. count, when you empower your teachers and [Laughter] your principals to achieve the objective we But the important thing is, inherent in the all want. And that’s to make sure no child, No Child Left Behind Act was not only the not one single child in America, is left be- desire to measure, the need to measure, the hind. need to show, the need to track each child, I’m honored to be here at this Blue Ribbon but it’s also the trust of local people to make School. And I appreciate your time, and I the right decisions. See, you can’t have a sys- look forward to hearing from you. tem that is—meets objectives if you’re ham- At this point, the discussion continued. strung by Federal rules and regulations. And [ ] so, inherent in the No Child Left Behind Act The President. Yes, you are. Listen, one is trust, trust of the principals, trust of the of the things you hear, of course, is that you teachers, trust of the parents, trust of the can’t test kids, see. You can’t test. We test local officials, like Speaker Hanaway and too much. How do you know if a child isn’t Peter Kinder from the State house and State reading if you don’t test? How do you know senate who are with us. I want to thank you who needs help? I mean, if the idea is to for coming, by the way. make sure not one child is left behind, you I appreciate all the State officials who are better test. here. I know we’ve got some school board The test isn’t a punishment, you know. It’s officials. You’ve got the ball in our—in terms not to punish anybody. The test is to deter- of how to achieve excellence. It’s up to you. mine who needs extra help. And that’s exactly The Federal Government is a source of why Laclede is doing well, I’m convinced, money. It’s now a source of inspiration. It’s or one of the main reasons why. They’ve got a source of measurement. But it’s up to the a book here that says, ‘‘Every child matters. local people to really make it work. Every child can learn, and therefore we’re I also appreciate so very much that Senator going to measure as to whether or not we’re is with us. Senator, thank you for meeting expectations for every child, not a coming. Congresswoman few of the children but every child.’’ and , and of course, Congress- And so when you hear this talk about test- man , whose district we are in. ing, testing is bad, testing is—you know, Congressman, thank you very much for join- teach the test, what testing is—what testing ing us today. does and what measuring does is determines I went into a classroom of fourth graders. whether or not every child is learning, and I asked this question, I said, ‘‘How many of if not, whether that child is getting the help you are going to go to college?’’ You’ll be he or she needs early, before it is too late. happy to hear that every hand went up. We’ve got to stop this business about just That’s a good sign. They were also doing shuffling kids through the schools in Amer- something that was fundamentally important. ica. We’ve got to stop social promotion and They were practicing their reading. I also focus on whether or not each child is getting asked the question, ‘‘How many of you read the instruction he or she needs, and that’s more than you watch TV?’’ About 50 percent exactly what this book says, and that’s why of the hands went up. [Laughter] I’m here at Laclede to tout this program, be- But what’s important is for schools like— cause you’re making great sense. around the country to understand what’s The discussion continued. happening here, and that is that the people [ ] here use reading programs based upon what The President. Yes, I think it’s important. works, not what sounds good, reading pro- The Federal Government can help, and we grams based upon the science of reading. have. I think we’ve increased the teacher And it’s working. training and recruitment budget significantly, And so I’m here to congratulate this school like by about 40 percent since 2001. And and to really hold you up for the Nation to that’s important to make sure teachers have see what is possible when you raise the bar, the skills necessary to be able to teach. I when you’re not afraid to hold people to ac- mean, it’s one thing to have a good heart;

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it’s another thing to be able to have the skills you hear at Laclede, why don’t you volun- necessary to put—to match the good heart teer? Why don’t you help and mentor a child with the capacity to pass on knowledge. how to read? Why don’t you join us all in And so the Federal Government is helping changing America one child at a time? on teacher recruitment, teacher training, and And so, Jeff, I want to thank you for com- that’s an important aspect of the No Child ing. I want to thank you for the example you Left Behind Act. It’s essential that we con- have set for others in the community of St. tinue to monitor what works, whether the Louis, and hope that others will follow your curriculum you’re using makes sense—that’s example. And a great place to start to volun- what measurement helps a school to under- teer is to show up at a local public school stand—and whether or not a teacher needs and ask the principal what you can do to help a little extra help in order to be able to impart change a child’s life. the knowledge that he or she is desirous of So thank you for reminding me about the doing. importance of being a good mom and a great I know we’ve got a parent here. By the volunteer as well. way, the first teacher of any child is a mom Listen, making sure every child learns to and a dad. And it’s—this parent right here read and making sure every child is educated is a good teacher. Thank you for being here. is a—the number one domestic priority of this country. It is essential we get it right. [The discussion continued.] Laclede Elementary School shatters The President. Speaking about volun- stereotypes. It shows that we can have excel- teers, one of the really true strengths of our lence in every single classroom across this country is the heart and soul of the American country, that it’s not just suburban America people. Today with us—I met a fellow at the where we find excellence. You can find excel- airport who is now with us here today. His lence in inner-city America. You find excel- name is Jeff Tank. Probably never heard of lence in rural America. You find excellence Jeff. He is a volunteer with Big Brothers and where you’ve got great principals and teach- Big Sisters. January happens to be National ers and leadership willing to raise the stand- Mentoring Month. ards, willing to challenge every child, because Where are you, Jeff? There he is. Jeff, by you believe in every child. You find excel- the way, when I went to the airport, he said, lence where you’re willing to measure and ‘‘This isn’t about recognition, recognizing then correct when things aren’t going the me.’’ I said, ‘‘Yes, it is, because you represent way they should. You find excellence when a lot of other good people who are taking you’ve got skilled teachers carrying around time out of your lives to make a difference a book that measures the ability of each child, in a child’s life.’’ not a collection of children but every child, Schools need volunteers. Schools need and so that you can then qualify the cur- mentors. Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a riculum to meet the needs of that child. fabulous program that provides that kind And I am here for the simple reason to of—that provides that kind of mentoring and show what is possible all across America. And help. Whether you’re the superintendent of what is possible is to take reading scores from schools or the chairman of the school board 7 percent to 80 percent in places like St. or the President, we all need to be out en- Louis, Missouri, and elsewhere. I want to couraging people to volunteer. congratulate you for setting the standard. I always say that part of ushering in a era And keep raising the bar. Make sure that of personal responsibility means that people other 20 percent gets up to grade level at have to be responsible for the commu- third grade—I know you will—and you will nities—for the schools in the community in have done your duty as educators and Ameri- which they live. You just can’t trust that some cans to make sure that our children, the very faraway Government is going to make the future of the country, have got the capacity correct decisions for the local communities. to succeed in the greatest land on the face And if you’re interested in the quality of edu- of the Earth. cation and you’re paying attention to what Thank you all for coming. God bless.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 2:33 p.m. In his I appreciate so very much Senator Kit remarks, he referred to Yolanda Moss, principal, Bond’s leadership in the Sen- and Regina Davis, parent and volunteer, Pierre ate. I also appreciate a short introduction. Laclede Elementary School; Joyce Roberts, exec- [Laughter] I also want to thank my friend utive director, Middle School and Priority School Education, St. Louis Public Schools, and former Senator Jim Talent as well for doing a great principal, Pierre Laclede Elementary School; job for the people of Missouri. I’m pleased Catherine Hanaway, speaker, Missouri State that Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson is with house of representatives; and Peter Kinder, presi- us tonight as well as Kenny Hulshof, two fine dent pro tempore, Missouri State senate. He also Members of the referred to Title I of the Improving America’s from Missouri. Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law No. 103–382), I know the secretary of state is with us, which amended Title I of the Elementary and . Thank you for coming, Matt. I’m Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law No. proud you’re here. I appreciate the speaker 89–10). coming, Catherine Hanaway, as well as Sen- ate Majority Leader Peter Kinder. Thank you Remarks at a Bush-Cheney all for coming. I want to thank all the mem- Reception in St. Louis bers of the statehouse for being here and the local officials. I’m so honored you take time January 5, 2004 to come. Thank you all very much. Thanks for com- I particularly want to thank my friend Sam ing. Thank you all. Thanks for your warm Fox, who is the State finance chairman for welcome. I appreciate such a warm response. Bush-Cheney. I’m honored that Sam has I appreciate such a huge crowd. It’s great taken on such a big role, and I appreciate to be back here in St. Louis. I don’t know the hard work of Sam and the team he has if you know this or not, but my grandmother put together to make this such a strong and was raised right here in St. Louis. And I’ve successful event. I call him Foxie. Foxie, got a lot of relatives here. By the way, if thanks for your friendship. you’re looking for a great uncle, model some- I also appreciate Ann Wagner from the body after Bucky Bush. great State of Missouri. She’s the cochairman This record-setting event really means of the Republican National Committee. I’m we’re laying the foundation for what is going proud to have her friendship and proud to to be a victory in the State of Missouri in have her support here as the chairman of the November of 2004 and a nationwide victory party in Missouri. in 2004. I want to thank all the event orga- I want to thank Ambassador Steve Brauer nizers. I want to thank those of you who are and his wife, Kimmy. By the way, they did in the grassroots. I want to thank you for a fabulous job representing our country over- working hard. I want to thank you for what seas, and I want to thank them for their hard you’re going to do. work at this event. The political season is going to come in I know my friend former Senator Jack its own time. I admit I’m loosening up— Danforth is here. I named him to a special [laughter]—and I’m getting ready. But right mission, to be the envoy to the Sudan, and now, I’m focused on the people’s business. he has done incredibly good work in that war- See, I have a lot on the agenda. I want you ravaged country. I appreciate your service, to remind your fellow citizens that I will con- Jack, and your friendship. tinue to work hard to earn the confidence But most of all, I thank you all for coming. of all Americans by keeping this Nation se- It lifts my spirits to see so many people here. cure and strong and prosperous and free. It is—it gives me great confidence that we’re My one regret tonight is that Laura isn’t on the path to victory, to know that I’ve got here. She is a fabulous lady. She’s a great such broad support in this important State First Lady for our country. She is a wonder- of Missouri. ful wife, a great mother, and she’s doing a In the last 3 years, our Nation has acted heck of a job on behalf of the American peo- decisively to confront great challenges. I ple. came to this office to solve problems instead

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