Just before Halloween, educators, concerned citizens and political leaders in Lawrence took time from their trick-or-treat preparations to discuss federal education policy and what it means for their community.

I applaud these discussions and am encouraged that so many concerned citizens are taking the opportunity to discuss one of the most important domestic issues facing the nation — the education of all our children. Unfortunately, some are using this topic as nothing more than one more opportunity to score partisan points. I prefer to focus on what matters: the children, not the politics. What we need is a rational discussion about federal educational policy and how it affects local schools.

But rather than tales from the crypt that many naysayers like to use, I’d like to present the facts.

President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act has raised the level of federal funding for education to historic levels. The president pushed through this landmark education reform bill because he understands that our potential as a nation is inalterably tied to our children’s preparation for the future.

In fact, under this administration, Kansas’ education system is the beneficiary of the largest increase in federal education funding in generations. Overall federal education spending in Kansas is $441 million, almost $90 million more than when President Bush took office. What, exactly, is “under funded” about that?

Kansas will receive approximately $180 million to help it enact reforms of No Child Left Behind — a historic educational reform that passed with wide bipartisan support. These funds include $22.6 million to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, a problem highlighted in this paper earlier in the week, and $5.2 million for annual assessments so that every mom and dad will know their children are learning and where improvement is indicated. For those who wish to attend higher education, over one-half of a billion dollars is available in the form of federal student loans, the most in the history of the state.

Sadly, some, for what are transparently political purposes, have insisted on disseminating inaccurate and misleading information concerning No Child Left Behind.

Let me set the record straight.

The president made a promise to leave no child behind. He has funded education at an unprecedented level, targeting children who have been neglected or forgotten. The funding nationally includes:

• $12.4 billion directed at children in high poverty areas, a 41 percent increase over his predecessor;
• $1.1 billion dollar increase to early literacy programs;
• $4.5 billion to support teachers through training, recruitment, incentives, loan forgiveness, and tax relief;
• $300 million to help states improve accountability systems with annual assessments in grades 3 through 8.

Moreover, these tough new provisions are hardly a shock as some opponents of reform have suggested. Every district in this country received ample notice of what would be required of them under the new law. Further, states have received a remarkable amount of flexibility to address issues and concerns unique to them. If there are problems that need to be addressed, my department stands ready to assist.

In short, No Child Left Behind requires a constructive, collaborative relationship between the federal government, local educators and public leaders. I respectfully suggest that the same amount of energy devoted toward naysaying be redirected toward implementing solutions. If we work together, we can deliver better educational services to the poor and chronically neglected within Kansas’ education system.

In spite of the hyperbole and inaccurate rhetoric employed by some to minimize and undermine the president’s commitment to improving student achievement, we will continue to work toward meaningful reform, in Kansas and throughout the country.

We all agree that education is important. Let’s leave the ghosts and goblins for other forums. Now is the time for straight-talking and bipartisan cooperation as embodied by the bipartisan support of No Child Left Behind. Halloween comes only once a year. I want our children educated for a lifetime — all of our children.

Rod Paige is the U.S. Secretary of Education