NCLB - Money, control

To the editor:

The No Child Left Behind Act sets high standards for student performance and provides the resources needed to meet them. Under President Bush's leadership, federal funding for education has increased 59.8 percent from 2000 to 2003. A large portion of that money goes toward helping high-poverty schools. The funds also go toward efforts to retain high-quality teachers.

Local control is another crucial aspect of education reform. The No Child Left Behind Act trusts parents and local school officials to direct resources where they will do the most good for their students. The law gives parents the right to transfer their kids out of failing or unsafe schools and into better schools.

DAMON J. STEELE

Fredericktown, Mo.