2007 State of the Union address: on Education

George W. Bush: NCLB has raised scores; now give more local flexibility

Now the task is to build on this success, without watering down standards, without taking control from local communities and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose something better. We must increase funds for students who struggle--and make sure these children get the special help they need. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America’s children--and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law.