Education secretary emphasizes 'No Child Left Behind'.

Our nation's future depends on a first-class education for everyone, which will happen when people "care about every single child" in the system, not just their own, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said last month in an address at the National Parent Teacher Association's Annual Convention.

Spellings urged members to be interested in, not indifferent to, the experiences of children who have slipped through the cracks in the school system. "I am standing here today to tell you that it is imperative for our country's long-term health and well-being to care about every single child," Spellings said. "The future of our democracy, our economy and our quality of life depends on it."

"So we have double-duty: to advocate for all children-not just your own-and to make your community care about all children as well," she added.

Spellings noted the PTA's unique and historic role in America's education system. "You are a non-vested stakeholder. You are not on the payroll. You are not captive to the system. You work outside the system to make the system better-and are free to ask the toughest questions. Your mission explicitly states that your focus is on the parents and the children."

Spellings praised No Child Left Behind, now three-and-a-half years old, for helping to provide a "solid educational foundation" for millions of children, many of whom had been left behind previously. She noted that its emphasis on high standards, accountability and parental empowerment is producing positive results in states as diverse as Georgia, New York and Maryland.

Spellings said the PTA is well positioned to help parents learn and take advantage of this law: "No Child Left Behind gives parents information about their school's performance; gives parents options if their local school isn't serving their needs; and provides parents with options for their children."

Spellings said that America must work hard to regain its edge in education. "Our global competitors understand the importance of education in this knowledge economy," she said. "I just got back from Japan where I saw the country's commitment to education first-hand."

"But what are we worried about here in our country? Red versus purple ink," Spellings said, citing a recent news report about teachers grading tests with purple pens to avoid using the "angrier" red. "The good news is that No Child Left Behind forces us as a nation to focus on what really matters-the education of all of our children."

Spellings concluded by thanking the PTA for the work it does in our schools, and urging its members to reach out to new parents and new communities.

"Our nation was founded on the ideal that every citizen counts and that every person can achieve the American Dream," Spellings said. "We all know the ticket to success is a solid educational foundation. The future of our democracy, our economy and our quality of life depends on it. Every child deserves an advocate-and those advocates are you and me. All of US."