No Educator Left Behind is a series providing answers from the U.S. Department of Education to questions about the federal No Child Left Behind Act and how it will affect educators. If you have a question about No Child Left Behind, send an e-mail to Ellen Delisio, and we will submit your question to the Department of Education.

QUESTION:

Instead of backing vouchers, why doesn't the federal government provide more education funding?

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Although education is primarily a state and local responsibility, the Department of Education refuses to "pass the buck" when it comes to helping schools improve. Federal education funding has increased 29 percent since President Bush took office, to $54.5 billion (including the fiscal year 2007 budget request). Under the No Child Left Behind Act, states have more freedom to invest in programs that work, including scientifically- based reading instruction, targeted intervention for students struggling academically, and the hiring of highly qualified teachers in every classroom. And with a 69 percent increase in special education grants and a 45 percent increase in Title I funds for schools serving students from low-income families, the needs of children once left behind have been placed front and center.

For the first time, we are measuring progress not just by how much money is spent, but by how many children are educated. Under No Child Left Behind, all 50 states have accountability plans in place, and all parents receive report cards telling them how well or poorly their child's school is performing. Parents with children in schools that fall short of standards year after year are given new options, such as free tutoring or the chance to transfer to another school. Measures of this type have helped lead to rising test scores and the narrowing of the achievement gap that has plagued public education for decades.

Read previous questions and answers in our No Educator Left Behind archive.