May 20, 2002
SECRETARY PAIGE FOCUSES ON SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES DURING
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND TOUR EVENTS IN PITTSBURGH AREA
For Local Elementary Students, Supplemental Services Provide New Hope, Better Grades
Pittsburgh, Pa.--U.S. Secretary of Education Rod
Paige today made two stops in the Pittsburgh area on his No Child Left
Behind Tour Across America to stress the importance of helping all
children become successful students by providing those who need it with
supplemental education services.
Secretary Paige kicked off the day with Congresswoman Melissa Hart,
parents, students and educators at Aliquippa Elementary School just
outside Pittsburgh, Pa., to talk about the supplemental services
provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act--the historic new education
law that President Bush signed in January 2002--and how the new
provisions could help children at Aliquippa.
Later in the day, he visited the Schenley Heights Community
Development Corporation's A-STEP program (After-School Tutorial and
Enrichment Program), located in the Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church.
A-STEP, a state-approved provider of supplemental services under
Pennsylvania's unique "Classroom Plus" initiative, serves approximately
100 elementary and middle school children who need extra assistance in
reading and math.
"For more than 30 years, parents have had few options when it came to
their children's education," said Secretary Paige. "That will not be
the case anymore. When schools fail to meet state standards for three
years in a row, children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be eligible
to obtain supplemental services, including tutoring, remedial education,
extra classes, summer school, after-school programs and other
supplemental academic services to help boost their achievement.
Under the supplemental services provisions of the No Child Left
Behind Act, beginning this fall, schools in their second year of needing
school improvement (third year of failure to meet achievement goals),
corrective action or restructuring, must provide low-income parents (as
defined by the school district) with the option of accessing
supplemental services for their children.
States must establish a list of approved supplemental service
providers by the beginning of the 2002-03 school year. School districts
with one or more schools in the second year of school improvement must
provide parents with a list of the programs available in the area so
parents have a full set of options to find whatever services their
children need.
School districts that are required to provide supplemental services
must: (1) annually notify parents of the availability of those services,
including the identity and qualifications of approved providers and a
description of the services they provide; (2) help parents select a
provider, if such help is requested; and (3) enter into an agreement
with a provider for each student that includes goals and a timetable for
improving the student's achievement, regular progress reports and a
provision for termination if the provider fails to meet the goals,
timetables and payment terms.
Providers with a "demonstrated record of effectiveness," including
non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations or for-profit
entities, are eligible providers of supplemental services. The provider
must be capable of ensuring that the supplemental education services
provided are consistent with the instructional program of the district
and state's academic standards.
In addition, providers must give parents and the school information
on the progress of the children served and meet applicable health,
safety and civil rights laws.
The U.S. Department of Education's Center for Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives will work closely with faith and community
organizations, such as the A-STEP program, to ensure that they have
access to supplemental service dollars for helping children under the
statute requirements.
"Government doesn't have a monopoly on compassion. Some of the most
effective programs in America today started just like A-STEP--neighbors
helping neighbors--motivated by a spiritual imperative to give
back, to lift up, and to make a difference," Secretary Paige said.
Secretary Paige kicked off his nationwide tour on April 8, 2002. In
addition to today's visits, Secretary Paige has made visits in
Albuquerque, N.M.; Atlanta, Ga.; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas, Nev.;
Southfield, Mich., Milwaukee, Wis., and LaCrosse, Wis. Tomorrow, Paige
will be in Albany, N.Y. to enlist the support of New Yorkers in leaving
no child behind. Other stops will be announced later.
The tour offers resources for parents and school officials about No
Child Left Behind. Also launched during this tour is the new Web site
www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov, a virtual one-stop shop for parents and
families, teachers and principals, local and state officials, and
members of the business and civic communities.
Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, states and school
districts will develop strong systems of accountability based upon
student performance. The new law also gives states and school districts
increased local control and flexibility, removing federal red tape and
bureaucracy and putting decision-making in the hands of educators and
education leaders at the local and state levels. Parents of children
from disadvantaged backgrounds will have options under the new law to
participate in public school choice programs or obtain supplemental
services such as tutoring. Teachers around the country will be
encouraged to use teaching methods based on scientific research that
shows they have been proven to work.
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