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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Marks the 6th Anniversary of No Child Left Behind in Tallahassee


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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today marked the sixth anniversary of No Child Left Behind in Tallahassee, Fla., where she met with legislators, educators and students to highlight the gains made by students in Florida and across the country. Secretary Spellings began the day at the Capitol testifying before Florida legislators, meeting with Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith and holding a press conference with reporters.

In her testimony before the joint committee session of Florida’s Committee on K-12, Schools and Learning Council and the Committees on Education Innovation and Career Preparation, 21st Century Competitiveness, and Postsecondary Education, Secretary Spellings underscored the accomplishments of No Child Left Behind and encouraged Florida to continue to press for progress in student achievement to prepare students for success in today’s global knowledge economy.

“States like Florida elevated this education movement from an ideal into reality, pioneering the use of data, standards, and accountability systems,” said Secretary Spellings. “Six years after No Child Left Behind changed the education game in this nation, we can be proud of where it has brought us. The law’s core principles, based on tried and true efforts in places like Florida, now guide our conversation on education. Now all 50 states and the District of Columbia have assessment systems, report disaggregated data and target federal resources to serve their neediest students.”

Following her visit to the Capitol, Secretary Spellings visited Sabal Palm Elementary School with Commissioner Smith, where they toured classrooms and addressed an all-school assembly. Secretary Spellings and Commissioner Smith congratulated students and educators on making the highest gains in reading and math proficiency in the school district. Like many schools across the country, Sabal Palm is an excellent example of a school making strong progress under No Child Left Behind. Sabal Palm is also helping to cultivate a culture of success and innovation through the largest after-school program in its district, reading incentives and volunteer mentors.

Secretary Spellings will continue to mark the anniversary of No Child Left Behind with an address at the National Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on Thursday, where she will discuss No Child Left Behind and her priorities for 2008.

Secretary Spellings’ prepared testimony is available online at http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2008/01/01082008.html. For more information on No Child Left Behind, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080107-1.html



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