Statement by Edward J. McElroy
Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers
on Misleading Bush TV Advertisement

Washington, D.C. -- President Bush’s new television script, released today, is as catchy as his education slogan -- and about as accurate.

The advertisement is correct in one regard -- the President did push for, and sign into law the No Child Left Behind Act.

More than two years later, the administration’s failure to properly and effectively implement the law has left states, school districts, parents and teachers frustrated. This lack of federal guidance and support, combined with the President’s broken promise to adequately fund the law, leaving it billions short in meeting its challenging goals. This failure has turned what should have been a rousing success for students and schools into a disappointing blame game. This is another misguided and misleading effort to capitalize politically, as the advertisement released today all too clearly reveals.

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