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A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Foreword by President George W. Bush

As a former student, the father of two high school graduates and the husband of a teacher, I have learned many lessons about what makes a school good and an education excellent. The more I see, the more I am convinced of one thing: every child can learn. Great schools do great works in the life of a child, and I have watched it happen. But we must do more.

Because I believe every child can learn, I intend to ensure that every child does learn. My Administration put forward a plan called No Child Left Behind based on four principles: accountability for results; local control and flexibility; expanded parental choice; and effective and successful programs. We are pursuing these principles because too many of our schools fail to help every child learn.

As America's children return to school, we should reflect on how we can improve their education. It's time to set high standards for what children should know and be able to do, to give our schools the tools they need to help children reach those high standards, and to demand that they reach them. We know that every child can learn; it is time to ensure that every child does learn.

Our schools are our responsibility, and all of us must take that responsibility seriously. Whether or not we have children in school, our business leaders, civic leaders and, indeed, all citizens have a stake in ensuring an excellent education for our children. This guide explains what you can do to improve instruction and make schools more accountable for student performance. I hope it starts a conversation in your community about how we can raise expectations for our children.

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Last updated—December 17, 2004 (jer)