In the time since President Bush entered office, his Administration has taken significant action to transform and improve public education in America. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ushered in a new era of accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices for parents. This Act affirmed our country’s basic faith in the wisdom of parents and communities, and our fundamental belief in the promise of every child. By raising expectations, insisting on results, and challenging failure, the President believes we are strengthening our school systems and improving education for all children in America.

Accountability is a key part of this reform. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law all 50 States have approved accountability plans in place to ensure that schools are helping every student make adequate progress. Schools struggling to meet high standards are getting help and are being held accountable for increasing achievement. For the first time, historically high levels of Federal funding are tied to measurable results.

States and local districts now have unprecedented flexibility with Federal education dollars. This freedom enhances teacher quality, education for English language learners, and other efforts critical to improving student performance. States also receive assistance in implementing proven programs that teach basic skills, particularly reading in the early grades. And parents have more options for and control of their children’s education. Parents and the public have access to detailed school-by-school reports on the performance of their local schools. For children in schools needing improvement, parents have the option of transferring their child to a higher-performing public school or using Federal funds for tutoring and other academic services.

Across America, States, schools, and school districts continue to work hard to implement these reforms, and the President is committed to supporting them with significant resources. His fiscal year 2005 budget proposal represents a 49 percent increase in funding for elementary and secondary education over the 2001 budget levels. The President believes this increase will help improve overall student performance and close the achievement gap between rich and poor students in America.

President Bush asked the Congress to help meet these goals by providing $13.3 billion in 2005 for the Title I program, which serves our neediest students. This will represent a funding increase of 52 percent since the President came into office. He is also seeking to increase funds for important reading initiatives to ensure that every child is able to read by the third grade.

The essential work of reform is well underway, and President Bush is determined to continue that effort until every school in America is a place of learning and achievement. He will continue working with the Congress to enact reforms and provide support that will help build the mind and character of every child from every background in every part of America.

Thank you again for writing. Best wishes. Marguerite A. Murer Acting Director of Presidential Correspondence