July 24, 2002 I would like to thank you for the work you are
doing to improve the achievement of all students. The No Child
Left Behind Act (NCLBA) significantly raises expectations for
States, local educational agencies and schools in that all
students are expected to meet or exceed State standards in
reading and in math within 12 years. It also provides a
significant increase in resources to assist States in meeting
these new expectations. This bipartisan Act is intended to build
upon and enhance accountability systems that States have been
developing since, or prior to, the 1994 reauthorization of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). I would like to
applaud the efforts States have made to develop and implement
high quality accountability systems based on challenging
standards and assessments and high expectations for students.
Working together, we can ensure that all students succeed and
that the achievement gap is closed, once and for all.
Accountability is central to the success of the No C