Chairman Miller Statement on No Child Left Behind

Monday, January 7, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to remarks made today by President George W. Bush on the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. This week marks the sixth anniversary of the law, which was enacted on January 8, 2002. Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, has been leading efforts in the House to significantly improve NCLB.

“I look forward to reviewing the President’s proposals in more detail. I am glad to see that the President may finally be willing to acknowledge that we cannot simply stay the course when it comes to the No Child Left Behind law.

“For the last year, our Committee has been working hard to significantly improve the law. We have met with hundreds of teachers, parents, school administrators, and experts all over the country, and we have listened carefully to their concerns. Indeed, many of the priorities mentioned by the President today have long been under active consideration by our Committee.

“Six years after No Child Left Behind was first enacted, the original goal of the law remains more important than ever: To provide every child with the opportunity to get a good education. I am committed to passing legislation that will make No Child Left Behind fair and flexible while retaining the law’s strong focus on accountability.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853