Monday, Aug. 30, 2004 | 8:58 a.m.
As a professional educator, I was disappointed by Nevada State Education Association President Terry Hickman's evaluation of No Child Left Behind in his letter of Aug. 4. I am one of many teachers who strongly support NCLB and believe it will improve the quality of education in this country. The fact is that President Bush and Congress are investing more in education than at any point in history.
Federal education spending for Nevada has gone up 49.5 percent since President Bush took office and Title I funding for low-income students in Nevada has already increased 88.5 percent. These are substantial increases that will help all students get the education they deserve. In addition, more than $4 million in funding has been given to Nevada to ensure that all children learn to read by the third grade.
As a high school teacher who has struggled to help students who slipped through the cracks unable to read, this is of major significance. Additional funds for Nevada include $13.6 million to train educators, $2.4 million to ensure safe schools, $4.4 million for assessment, $31.3 million in Pell grants and a $26.1 million dollar grant from the Federal Reading Excellence Act.
For Hickman to say that the Bush administration is not funding its education program is not only inaccurate, it is misleading to the citizens of Nevada.
FRANCY M. JOHNSON
Editor's note: Francy Johnson taught for many years in San Diego and Tempe, Ariz. She is currently a substitute teacher in the Clark County School District.
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