Statements of Support

Senator Edward M. Kennedy
"The Commission has done impressive work in assessing how the law is working or not working in communities across the nation.  Some of the Commission's recommendations, such as those related to teacher effectiveness and changes to the accountability provisions, tackle the most difficult issues raised by this law and will require close scrutiny."

Senator Mike Enzi
"I am very pleased by the Commission's recommendations, which encourage states to continue to strengthen their focus on student outcomes and how what the student is learning will help them in college and the workplace."

Congressman Buck McKeon
"I'd like to thank Secretary Thompson, Governor Barnes, and the Commission staff for producing this report.  It has been a long time in the making, and I think the serious nature with which it will be reviewed by Congress will demonstrate that it has been worth their time and effort."

Secretary Margaret Spellings
"I am encouraged that the Commission addressed embedding growth models in the law to measure student achievement over time, the pressing need for highly qualified teachers in every classroom, and more significant interventions and critical resources for schools that are chronically underperforming."

Richard Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
"The Commission's report provides a much-needed blueprint for Congress to consider as it reviews the No Child Left Behind Act this year."

Amy Wilkins, Vice President for Government Affairs and Communications, The Education Trust
"I'm particularly pleased that in their HQET definition the Commission has embraced an approach to evaluating teachers that takes into consideration the learning growth that teachers help students make and the evaluations of their principals rather than just their paper credentials."

The Public Education Network
"The commission's recommendations are a starting point for making dramatic improvements to NCLB."

National Council of La Raza
"We hope Congress uses the Commission report as a solid foundation to determine the next steps in the reauthorization of NCLB."

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
"In particular, we believe that our education system can and must do a better job of ensuring that all students in America graduate high school academically prepared for a postsecondary education and the workforce.  To accomplish this goal, we agree with the Commission that states must work more closely with universities and the business community to set rigorous standards." 

Michael Casserly, Executive Director, Council of the Great City Schools
"The comprehensive nature of the Report will provide Congress and the broader education community with a thorough and thoughtful discussion of major issues in the NCLB reauthorization, rather than the piecemeal and anecdotal approach that often characterizes the discourse on the No Child Left Behind Act."

Michael Lomax, President and CEO, United Negro College Fund
"UNCF is especially heartened by the Commission's emphasis on making sure that all children in all schools in all states have high-quality curricula, teachers and principals.  We are also encouraged by the Commission's emphasis on educational accountability."

John J. Castellani, President, Business Roundtable
"The Commission's report is yet another step in the right direction toward transforming America's public education system."

Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education
"I applaud the NCLB Commission for recognizing that these are critical elements of a top-notch educational system."

National Association of Elementary School Principals
"We commend the Commission for a strong first step in the reauthorization and for exhibiting an understanding of the important and unique role that principals play in student achievement and school success."

Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers
"The Commission's report...recognizes the tremendous responsibilities of states under the current law, not to mention the greater role to be played in the next stage of standards-based reform."

Brad Jupp, Senior Academic Policy Advisor, Denver Public Schools
"Beyond NCLB: Fulfilling the Promise to Our Nation's Children is a report remarkable for both its common sense and the high expectations it holds for all of us who are working to improve our schools."

John Engler, President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers
"I am encouraged by the Commission on No Child Left Behind's report and their call to improve the law by including science assessments and for encouraging the development of increased performance standards aligned to college and workplace needs."

Michelle Rhee, CEO and President, The New Teacher Project
"The Commission on No Child Left Behind should be commended especially for its recognition that teacher quality is singularly important...this type of accountability is not only essential to improving student performance in high-poverty schools, but also promises to strengthen the teaching profession as a whole."