September 23rd.
This morning at the White House, with members of the elementary and secondary education community in attendance, the President announced “starting today” his administration was going to accepting applications from states to set higher standards. He said that he had asked Congress to change No Child Left Behind, a measure he praised President Bush for starting as it set important national goals; but had failed to change. He believes that the policies the Department is pushing in Race to the Top is unleashing innovations that are better for student learning. The President introduced several educators who were from schools that were successful; but now being cited as failing to make AYP. He said this is wrong. The president used the word innovation several times and called for resources for opportunity to learn that would support “schools, teachers, textbooks and technology.” The only thing he said specifically was that “states must set higher and more honest standards and that 44 states have set higher standards.”
