President Bush’s reforms are linked to the largest single-year increase in history for federal elementary and secondary education funding -- a 27 percent increase ($4.8 billion). The increase takes effect on July 1, 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

     “Today, as a result of President Bush’s education reforms, parents and taxpayers will begin providing the largest increase in federal K-12 education funding in our nation’s history, along with unprecedented new local control over those funds. In exchange, the system must begin delivering better results for our nation’s children,” Boehner said.

     President Bush’s No Child Left Behind reforms have made possible the largest increase in the history of the federal Title I program ($1.5 billion), which provides aid to states and school districts to help educate disadvantaged students. In addition to these Title I increases, school districts can expect significant non-Title I federal funds as well this year for teacher quality, Reading First, Safe & Drug Free Schools, education technology, innovative programs and other grant programs.

     Beginning this year, billions in federal education funds will also flow to local school districts with significantly fewer strings attached as a result of No Child Left Behind. Every local school district in America will have new flexibility and decision-making authority in the use of federal education funds. This new local control and flexibility will be a particularly powerful tool for America’s poorest school districts.

     In addition, the No Child Left Behind Act requires that new options be given to parents with children in underachieving schools. Beginning this fall, parents with children in thousands of underachieving or dangerous schools nationwide will be given the option of transferring their children to safer or better-achieving public schools, including charter schools. Many will also qualify to obtain supplemental educational services such as private tutoring through their child’s share of Title I funds.

     Under the leadership of President Bush, Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together in 2001 to pass a dramatic overhaul of federal education programs, emphasizing accountability for results, new options for parents, and greater flexibility for local school districts. The No Child Left Behind Act (H.R. 1) streamlined the number of federal K-12 education programs from 55 to 45, expanded local control in the use of federal education funds - and targeted billions in new federal funds to America’s poorest schools and poorest students, where they’re needed most.

     “Even the unexpected outbreak of war hasn’t deterred President Bush from following through on this commitment,” Boehner said. “Beginning this summer, unprecedented new resources will begin flowing to states and local school districts as a result of No Child Left Behind, along with unprecedented new local control over those funds. Along with these new resources will come new expectations. Every child -- rich, poor, black, white, urban, suburban -- must be given the chance to learn.”

     The Congressional Research Service estimates the Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, will receive an increase of more than $80.5 million in federal Title I aid this year as a result of the President’s reforms, from $222,330,676 last year to $302,866,102 this year. This $80.5 million increase represents a 36.2 percent increase over last year, the final funding level provided under the Clinton Administration.

     The Rochester (NY) City School District, as another example, is a much smaller district, but will also receive a significant increase in Title I funds this year. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Rochester City Schools will receive an increase of $5,957,357 this year as a result of No Child Left Behind, increasing from $20,761,680 last year to $26,719,037 this year -- an increase of 28.7 percent.