FDCH E-Media, Inc.  Tuesday, August 31, 2004; 9:56 PM

The text of a speech by Education Secretary Rod Paige at the Republican
National Convention:

PAIGE: Good evening, fellow Americans.

We live in a great country, a nation of good people in pursuit of great
ideals -- defined by our founders and defended by citizen- soldiers,
and delivered to us.

We inherited a great nation -- and so must our children.


Whatever the size of our armed forces or economy, no nation can sustain
its greatness unless it educates all of its citizens, not just some of it.

No one understands this better than President Bush.


He's always had a compassionate vision for education: Students challenged
by high standards; teachers armed with proper resources; parents empowered
with information and choices. And young adults with meaningful diplomas
in their hands -- not despair in their hearts.

He saw many schools that shared his vision. They have dedicated teachers
and outstanding administrators and involved parents.

They're in cities, suburbs and rural communities.

PAIGE: But there was also schools where young minds were left unengaged,
good teachers left unsupported, standards left unused.

Kids who passed through these schools are robbed of their life's
potential. And so are we.


Other presidents tried to fix this problem. But even as education spending
skyrocketed, the achievement gap persisted.

On a personal note, in my youth, I attended segregated schools. I was in
college when the Supreme Court announced Brown v. Board of Education. I
felt liberated that day, because I thought true equality would soon
follow. It did not.

While Brown opened the schoolhouse door to all, it did not guarantee
quality education for all. President Bush saw this two- tiered system as
unacceptable, so he proposed a plan: high standards, measurable goals,
real consequences and the resources to get the job done.

He promised results. He delivered results.


The president's first legislative proposal was the No Child Left Behind
Act. This bipartisan law raises the bar for all students, no matter
their race or income level. It challenges what the president calls the
"soft bigotry of low expectations." Its goal is simple: All students
read and do math at grade level.

PAIGE: States, not Washington, set standards. Schools that need assistance
get assistance. Support for education under President Bush has gone up
36 percent...


...with more funds requested for disadvantaged students than during the
entire Clinton administration.


As Yogi Berra would say, "You can check that out."

Now schools are held accountable for making real progress. If they don't,
parents have real choices such as after-school homework help or the
choice of another school.

Ladies and gentlemen, No Child Left Behind is working.


All across America, test scores are rising; students are learning; the
achievement gap is closing; teachers and principals are beaming with
pride. And President Bush also increased Pell Grant funding so 1 million
more adults can afford college.


Although much remains, our choice is simple: We can either build on these
achievements or we can return to the days of excuses and indifference. Our
opponents voted for No Child Left Behind. Now, they try to attack it. They
say, "No Child Left Behind should be watered down. Schools can't handle
change. Some children just can't learn."

We say, "Do not underestimate our schools. Do not underestimate our
teachers. And never underestimate our children."


PAIGE: High standards, achievement are on the right track -- and we are
not going back.


Now, this election may be multiple choice, but there's only one correct
choice: To go forward, not back. To choose compassion, not cynicism. To
set high standards, not settle for second-best.

To elect a true reformer with proven results -- not a Johnny Come Lately
with mere promises.


Only one candidate has created an education system worthy of a great
nation: President George W. Bush.