Washington, DC (October 6, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today issued the following statement on an Editorial Projects in Education Research Center study stating that the Texas Department of Education has inflated graduation rates.

“According to a study by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, Texas is significantly inflating its high school graduation rates.  While the methodology is being questioned by some, what remains a fact is that far too many of our young people aren’t graduating from high school.   

“Yesterday, the President called for urgent action in our high schools.  The No Child Left Behind Act is supposed to hold schools accountable for student achievement all the way through high school graduation, and yet funding remains stagnant and our school-aged children are left to flounder.

“I have introduced H.R. 547, the Graduation for All Act.  This legislation would truly hold schools accountable for high school graduation rates.  It would support students in achieving a high school diploma by providing resources and professional development for teachers to support literacy across the curriculum and by keeping students on track for graduation through individual graduation and career plans.

“Education is fundamental to the overall quality of life of our children, and the issue cannot and must not be taken lightly.  The bottom line is that this country has far too many dropouts.  If our nation’s economy is to remain strong, and if we’re to give our future generations a chance, we must to all we can do to stem this tide.”