Posted on: Thursday, April 3, 2003

Lawmakers want out of No Child act

Advertiser Staff

The House has tentatively approved a resolution urging education officials to consider declining participation in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to return federal money for the act unless Congress fully pays for the costs to comply.

The resolution does not have the binding effect of law.

The resolution said while "the state lauds the goal and intent of the act ... it cannot condone what amounts to yet another inadequately funded state mandate."

"Federal funding for the act is far below the amount that was agreed to during negotiations with Congress and this shortfall will hinder the state's ability to continue carrying out the goal of the act."

Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen said states can opt out of participating in the act, but that it would severely affect federal money at many levels.

All Republicans and one Democrat opposed the resolution on the floor yesterday.