U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today issued the following statement on the Center on Education Policy's report, "From the Capital to the Classroom," which focuses on the implementation of the historic No Child Left Behind Act.

"I'm glad we can agree that the principles of No Child Left Behind are good for the nation and great for our children.

"We know this is a tough new law -- and it should be. For far too long, far too many children fell through the cracks and were left behind. Our goal -- and the goal of the bipartisan Congress -- is to reverse that trend and to build an education system that's worthy of our great nation.

"This is a complex law, and we've been working with state education chiefs, state board members, and other state and local leaders since day one to equip them with the information and resources they need to get the job done. And, we've worked faster than ever before to get information in their hands.

"We've done unprecedented outreach -- more than 1,000 different speeches, school visits, conferences and other events -- and will continue to do so. Plus, throughout the past year, we've provided reams of guidance, regulation, and support to help states move forward with implementing the law. We will do even more outreach, because we realize that the law must be implemented in every classroom, every school, every district to make the goals of this powerful new law a reality.

"This administration, working with Congress, also has invested more money than ever before. Indeed, on a percentage basis, the budget for education has grown by nearly 90 percent in the last six years -- more than double the rate of total federal spending. But, for the first time, we're demanding results for the taxpayers' significant federal investment in our schools.

"This is the first step in a 12-year journey, and the department will continue to be a partner with the states every step of the way."

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