SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today released the following statement in response to the Center for Education Policy report, "From the Capital to the Classroom: Year Four of the No Child Left Behind Act" (Outside Source; PDF; 29KB; 3pp.).

"I share the Center for Education Policy's concern about schools narrowing classroom curriculum in order to improve achievement as measured by NCLB. But it is important for us to remember that reading and math are gateway skills, fundamental to success in other subjects, in higher education, and the workplace. If a student does not have these basic skills, it is imperative that schools focus on helping our kids acquire them. However, the foundational skills of math and reading needn't be limiting and can and should be taught as part of a broad and enriching curriculum. It is possible to integrate our high math and reading standards into the study of history, social studies, music, art and science, and excellent teachers throughout California are doing just that."