Pelosi Statement on Fourth Anniversary of No Child Left Behind

Pelosi Statement on Fourth Anniversary of No Child Left Behind

Friday, January 6, 2006

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today marking the fourth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed into law on January 8, 2002:

“Four years ago, Democrats and Republicans joined together to make a promise to our nation’s children: that we leave no child behind in our educational system. No Child Left Behind was a promise to improve student performance, increase school accountability, and provide students with the resources they need to learn the skills crucial to their future success.

“Unfortunately, President Bush and Republicans in Congress have failed to live up to their part of the bargain. Over the last four years, they have shortchanged No Child Left Behind by $40 billion, leaving states with new mandates, but not enough funding, and leaving children without the necessary resources. Failing to provide a quality education undermines our responsibility to protect our values of fairness and opportunity for all.

“Underfunding No Child Left Behind is one in a long line of Republican attacks on our country’s education system. Proposed Republican budget cuts reduce opportunities for young people by cutting funding for student aid by more than $12 billion and heaping more debt on students. And for the fourth year in a row, Republicans have refused to increase Pell Grants, pricing hard-working students out of a college education.

“Sadly, Republican policies continue to leave millions of our children behind. Together, America can do better for our children and for their future.”