Spellings says No Child law is 'getting results'

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings yesterday said America has reached a "tipping point" on education and must decide whether to keep the No Child Left Behind law's accountability for public schools, which she said has forced "an honest look at our schools."

Her comments come as administration leaders are trying to improve and solidify the much-debated 2002 law this year before President Bush's term ends.

As Mr. Bush did earlier this week, Mrs. Spellings defended the law and urged Congress to renew it soon, with some changes. But, she said if Congress fails to act, "I will move forward" and try to improve it through pilot programs and other administrative tools at her disposal. She noted the new president probably won't focus immediately on NCLB.

"Agree or disagree with this law, without NCLB, we wouldn't even be talking about how to get every student on grade level," she said. "After decades of doling out federal dollars and hoping for the best we're now expecting and getting results."