Remarks by Secretary Paige at the No Child Left Behind Forum on eLearning, Denver, CO
FOR RELEASE:
July 12, 2002
Thank you, George (Sparks of Agilent Technologies).
It is wonderful to be back in the Mile High city again. I always look forward to visiting your beautiful state—so I am pleased to be here for the 15th stop of our No Child Left Behind Tour Across America.
They're not here, but I want to say how Colorado is to have leaders like Senator Wayne Allard and Governor Owens.
Senator Allard's strong support on the conference committee helped ensure the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
These historic reforms are changing the way we educate our children in America. And the President and I are grateful for his commitment—as well as the commitment of Governor Owens—to our goal of educating every child.
I also want to thank our panelists, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
But first, I want to thank the students, parents and teachers. Your demonstration shows us how, by harnessing technology, we can expand access to learning and close the achievement gap in America.
And that's the critical mission of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
These new education reforms say loud and clear: One size does not fit all when it comes to educating our children. We must challenge the old ways. We must be innovative and creative in our thinking. We must do whatever it takes to help ensure that every child is educated.
Think about it: Since 1965, we've spent trillions of state, federal and local tax dollars and still:
- 2 out of 3 fourth graders can't read proficiently
- 7 out of 10 inner-city and rural fourth graders can't read at the most basic level
- Nearly a third of college freshmen need remedial classes before they can handle entry level courses
- And America's 12th graders rank among the lowest in math and science achievement among their counterparts in other industrialized nations.
The President looked at those numbers when he took office, and he said, Something is wrong here. We keep doing the same thing and we keep getting the same results. We need to fundamentally change... the way... we educate... our children... in America.
The reforms of No Child Left Behind provide the framework for that change... by insisting on accountability and results... by providing local control and flexibility... by empowering parents to take a lead in their children's education... and by insisting on teaching methods that work with quality teachers in every classroom.
And we've got significant resources to get the job done.
Federal funding for education is at an all-time high.
We now have the largest education budget for disadvantaged children in U.S. history—double what the Department of Education received only a few years ago in 1996.
And the President's most current budget request to Congress calls for $56.5 billion in discretionary funding for education—a 34 percent increase over education funding levels when he took office.
The overwhelming bipartisan support of No Child Left Behind says there is broad consensus that the recipe for improving our schools is reforms plus resources.
That's what Senator Allard and the President worked so hard for.
Now taxpayers know what they're getting for their hard-earned money. And parents know whether their children are learning.
And if they're not learning, if schools are not meeting their mission, then moms and dads can choose one-on-one tutoring, or after-school help, or enroll their children in a better public school.
Another option for parents and schools is e-Learning.
A click of a mouse button provides any student anywhere with unprecedented opportunities to learn.
So if a child in Grand Junction wants to master Japanese, it's possible online.
If a budding artist in Five Points wants to study the masterpieces of the Louvre, it's possible online.
If a future Stephen Hawking in La Junta (LA-HUN-TUH) wants to study Gravitational Entrophy (INTRO-FEE) with the man himself, it's possible online.
If military parents want continuity in their children's education throughout frequent moves to serve our country, then it's possible online.
If a child has been unsuccessful in traditional classroom settings, then learning is still possible online.
There are already virtual classrooms all over our country. In Texas, for example, one fairly wealthy school district hooked up with rural and poor school districts so they could share the knowledge. It's making a difference. And I encourage other districts to do the same.
E-learning promotes local control by expanding opportunities—even in rural and urban areas with limited resources—to tap a vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise online. Schools can increase their repertoire of courses for students, provide professional development for teachers or share their talented staff with other districts.
E-Learning increases flexibility for schools and for students so even a living room can be a classroom. And a classroom can be an archeological dig. The motto of the Florida Virtual School says it all: "Anytime, any place, any path, any pace."
E-Learning promotes individual instruction to meet the needs of each student.
And e-Learning empowers moms and dads to make choices that will help their sons and daughters get the best education possible.
We just saw how a charter school and a public school are harnessing the power of distance learning technologies. And we need more like them.
This is the 21st century. Ours is a world of 24-hour-news cycles, global markets, and instant messaging. Our education system should reflect the times we're living in.
Computers are becoming for our children what chalk was for our parents—an essential teaching tool.
And all of us—as parents, educators and those of us in public life—should be thinking about how we can use eLearning to meet the President's goal of no child left behind.
He has ushered in a new era in education. And people I meet tell me it's not just a law; it's a revolution. A profound moment in time.
I truly believe that, years from now, people are going to look back on this historic moment in time and say, "That was the tipping point for education."
That's when they raised the bar and student achievement began to soar.
That's when leadership triumphed over politics and no child was left behind.
That's when we created great schools worthy of a great nation.
That's when all Americans finally got a fair shot at achieving their dreams.
God bless you all. And God bless America.
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