Biography
EducationIn 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law. I was happy to support this bill for it set the stage for a limited, but productive role for the federal government in the education of our nation’s children. The goal of No Child Left Behind has been to provide the states with a sense of our country’s education priorities and allow the states to establish their own priorities and goals as long as they stay within the federal framework for student and teaching standards. Unfortunately, No Child Left Behind has been under-funded by over $20 billion since its inception. Although Congress has failed to provide for the full costs of the program, Congress has passed legislation in years past that funded No Child Left Behind at slightly higher levels than previous fiscal years. Sadly, this is not the case this year. In December 2005, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2006 Labor-Health and Education appropriations bill, which funds No Child Left Behind along with many other essential government programs. Within this legislation, No Child Left Behind received its first funding cut, providing $1 billion less than what was appropriated in fiscal year 2005. It is unfair and contradictory for Congress to grossly under-fund No Child Left Behind while expecting excellence from our school districts at the same time. For this and other reasons, I voted against the fiscal year 2006 Labor-Health and Education appropriations bill. When I voted for No Child Left Behind in 2001, I was supporting the specifics of the legislation while also promising that the necessary resources would be available to implement the program. I believe it is important for Congress to adequately fund No Child Left Behind so that every child has the opportunity to succeed. I am disappointed in the House Leadership for their refusal to fully fund No Child Left Behind—a program they support and deem a priority. However, even with these funding challenges, I am very proud to announce that two schools within Florida’s 2 nd Congressional District have recently been honored as Blue Ribbon Schools in 2005. DeSoto Trail Elementary and Deerlake Middle School were awarded this distinction for their academic superiority and for demonstrating dramatic gains in student achievement. I applaud the students, faculty and parents for this accomplishment and national honor. It is my hope that Congress will provide increased funding for No Child Left Behind in 2006 so that more schools in North Florida can follow in the footsteps of DeSoto Trail Elementary and Deerlake Middle School. The federal government has a responsibility to secure a brighter future for America, and providing a better education for our children is the key to that future. View related releases Boyd Works To Secure School Funding |
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