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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 the father of two high school graduates and the husband of a teacher, I've 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 our children return to school, we should reflect on how we can improve the schools they attend. 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.

This guide explains the goals and scope of No Child Left Behind. I hope it starts a conversation among our dedicated educators about how we can raise expectations for our children and reach those expectations in classrooms everywhere. God bless you for the work you do.

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Last updated—December 17, 2004 (jer)