Administration Has Failed Nation's Schools With "No Child Left Behind" Act
The following is a press release from January 8, 2004, by Kucinich's office in Congress
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Kucinich: Administration Has Failed Nation’s Schools With “No Child Left Behind” Act
On Second Anniversary Administration Has Failed On Promise Of Legislation
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement on the second anniversary of the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) Act:
“This Administration, and Republicans in Congress, have turned their back on our nation’s students, teachers and communities. The President’s budget request for this year would have underfunded his own bill by over $9 billion. And, the Republican controlled House passed legislation that underfunds the bill by almost $8 billion.
“Press reports indicate that the President is set to do it again. According to reports the President’s budget for next year, to be released next month, will continue to underfund the No Child Left Behind Act. In fact, reports show funding for math and reading help for disadvantaged students will be $7 billion less than was promised in the NCLB Act.
“This is unacceptable. We can, and must do better.
“The President’s plan for education reform has become nothing more than an unfunded mandate. It leaves schools grossly underfunded, forcing teachers to teach students to pass performance tests without adequate resources promised in the legislation.
“True educational reform will come when we invest our time and resources in provided students with better paid and highly qualified teachers. When we invest in new and modern facilities to replace the crumbling schools to many children attend everyday. And, true reform will come when we reduce class sizes.
“Our nation has great wealth. There is no better investment for our nation then providing our youth with the tools they need to succeed. We must make true education reform a priority of this Congress and our nation.”
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