ED PUBS

P.O. Box 1398 THE POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
JESSUP, MD 20794-1398

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300
ACHIEVER EDUCATION
Permit NO. G-17

October 1, 2002 • Vol. 1, No. 2 FIRST CLASS

“When it comes to
the education of our
children...failure is
not an option.”
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

S:
G U ID E F O R P A R E N T
C h il d re n
P e rs o n a l Sa fe ty fo r

States
0 children in the United
ach year, more than 58,00

E
200,000
ily members. More than
are abducted by non-fam seeking
family members who are
children are abducted by mo st dangerous
custodial rights. In the
to interfere with a parent’s pe rce nt of
ger kidnapping—fully 40
type of abduction—stran
children are killed. the
ildren against these assaults,
In an effort to protect ch w gu ide bo ok
ation just released a ne
U.S. Department of Educ Pa ren ts.
for Children: A Guide for
entitled Personal Safety s can unde rst and, the
inform ation tha t ch ild ren of all age
With for dis-
vides fac ts an d fig ure s on child abductions, tips
guide pro numbers to call
proaches for staying safe,
cussing safety, a list of ap re help.
additional resources for mo
during an emergency and ble in
: A Guide for Parents, availa
Personal Safety for Children ents of
glish an d Sp an ish , is a publication of the Departm
both En Missing and
d the National Center for
Education and Justice an contact 1-877-
copy, while supplies last,
Exploited Children. For a ehind.gov/
D- PU BS (43 3-7 82 7), or visit www.nochildleftb
4E
for the online version.
parents/safety/index.html
 THE

ACHIEVER www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov • October 1, 2002 • Vol. 1, No. 2

New Program Encourages Rigorous Course Work

three years of lab science (biology, chemistry and physics),

A
t the start of the 2002–03 school year, President
Bush and U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige
announced a new program that encourages students
to take more rigorous courses to better prepare themselves
for postsecondary education and the workplace.
The new State Scholars program is a partnership of the
business community and educators to encourage students to
complete courses of study beyond the minimum require-
ments for high school graduation. The Scholars Core
Academic Course of Study includes at least four years of
English, three years of math (algebra I and II and geometry),
three and half years of social studies and two years of a
foreign language.
Upon completion of the Scholars Course of Study,
students will be recognized and can be made eligible for
admission and scholarships to a state college, university or
technical training school.
For more information, visit www.centerforstate
scholars.org or call 512-480-3164.
“One of the most important things that a mom or dad can do
is talk to their children ... and rehearse what they can say and
do if they ever feel threatened,” said President Bush.

Protecting
Our Children
n
ing remarks at a Rose Garde
resident Bush made the follow
nth’s White House Conference
P ceremony announcing this mo
on Missing, Exploited and Ru
“… We’re gathered here tod
the
naway Children.
ay because we share a profou
most precious and importa
nt peo-
nd

con cer n for the safety of

ldren.
life of our country, our chi
ple in our own lives and the s thr ough-
the 11th, many parent
After the terror of September re
es holding their children mo
out America found themselv feel
work to help our children
closely. Unfortunately, as we par ent s are also
erica’s children and
safer by fighting terror, Am mi nal s in our
lence from twisted cri
facing a wave of horrible vio
own communities. ent
state and local law enforcem
Today, I call on all federal,
ies and our citizens to work
agencies and our communit our
our power to better protect
together to do everything in
children. …
ilable tell a terrible story.
The most recent statistics ava mem-
are abducted by non-family
More than 58,000 children ho me
se children are returned
bers annually. Many of the
…
quickly, but some are not.

continued on page 2

Photography by
Jerry Jackson
 1
continued from page
U.S. Department of Education
Today, we’re taking steps to focus I urge the families to get these rec-
The Achiever is published by the Office of on preventing crimes against children ommendations and to discuss the
Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, before they happen. The Department important safety tips with their chil-
U.S. Department of Education (ED).
of Justice will release a handbook of dren. Next month, we will convene a
Secretary of Education
simple and practical steps that parents White House Conference on Missing,
Rod Paige can take to make their children safer. Exploited and Runaway Children. This
One of the most important things forum will bring together leading
Assistant Secretary that a mom or dad can do is talk to national experts to focus on ways par-
Laurie M. Rich
their children very specifically, and ents and communities can help shield
Senior Director
rehearse what they can say and do if children from the harm that is being
John McGrath they ever feel threatened. Parents done to some today.
should teach their children how to say Recent child abductions have
Executive Editor no and how to trust their instincts. For understandably left many of our fami-
Sarah Pfeifer example, children should know that lies in fear, and the most productive
unfamiliar adults usually would not ask response is to improve the safety of
Editor
Nicole Ashby them for directions or help. Such a their child’s environment on the best
request might be a trick to get their information and the best advice.
Contributor attention, and of course to lure them No family should ever have to
Adam Honeysett away from safety. endure the terrible pain of losing a
The handbook also has practical child. Our nation grieves with every
Designer
Jason Salas Design advice to help families and communities family that has suffered unbearable
make their homes and their schools and loss, and our nation will fight the
Questions or comments: their neighborhoods safer. Children threats against our children. We can
Editor should know a safe place to seek help take hopeful and practical steps to
The Achiever if they are approached by a stranger on improve our children’s safety, and we
U.S. Department of Education their way to school, or if they’re will take those steps together. …”
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Room 5E217
standing at a bus For fiscal year 2003, President Bush
Washington, DC 20202 stop. … has proposed a 26 percent increase ($29
Fax: 202-205-0676 million) in funding for the Missing and
NoChildLeftBehind@ed.gov Exploited Children’s Program, which,
among other activities, provides training
Subscriptions and address for state and local law enforcement per-
changes:
sonnel on handling missing child cases.
ED Pubs
The president’s budget request will also
P.O. Box 1398
Jessup, MD 20794 enable the Department of Justice to dou-
1-877-4ED-PUBS (433-7827) ble the size of its task force on Internet
edpubs@inet.ed.gov crimes against children.
Information on ED programs,
resources and events: More than 58,000
Information Resource Center children are abducte
d
U.S. Department of Education by non-family mem-
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. bers annually,
Washington, DC 20202 although many of
1-800-USA-LEARN (872-5327) these children are
usa_learn@ed.gov returned home qu
www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/IRC ickly.

The Achiever contains news and information

about public and private organizations for
the reader’s information. Inclusion does not
constitute an endorsement by the U.S.
Department of Education of any products or
services offered or views expressed.

2
 [th e s ch o ol is] an
“… We fee l th a t if Horizon
t w h ic h p ro m o te s teaching e
environme n

On th

:
m o te s m u tu a l re spect
and learning, pro b ut students
t o n ly s tu d e n ts
among no e n t w h ere kids
v ir o n m
and adults, an en fo rward and
rt a b le to co m e October 2
feel comfo s, then stu-
Washington, D.C.

th e ir p ro b le m White House Conference on Missing

talk about le arning.”
and Exploited Children. Visit
b e e n g a g e d in www.whitehouse.gov.
dents will Education’s
tment of October 15
leski, director of the U.S. Depar
Bill Modze ms. 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. E.T.
ee School Progra
Safe and Drug-Fr Education News Parents Can Use
monthly broadcast, “Keeping Kids
Safe and Drug Free In and Out of
p:
e-U
School.” Visit http://registerevent.
No Child Left ed.gov or call 1-800-USA-LEARN
s

(872-5327).
C lo

Behind November 5–6

School Safety New York City, N.Y.
The National Alliance of Business

A
ll children need a safe environment in which and The Conference Board’s 2002
to learn and achieve. The No Child Left Business and Education Conference;
Behind Act seeks to ensure a safe and orderly “A New Era of Education Reform:
school by encouraging programs that protect students and teachers, encourage dis- Implementing No Child Left Behind”
cipline and personal responsibility, and combat illegal drugs. The act is among the topics to be addressed.
Requires states to report on school safety to the public. The new law also Visit www.conference-board.org/
encourages schools to work closely with law enforcement and the community to conferences or call 212-759-0900.
keep the learning environment safe by enforcing truancy, suspension and expulsion
policies and criminal laws.
Protects teachers so they can teach and maintain order. The problem of dis-

Did
?????
cipline has been compounded by the increased incidence of lawsuits, which impairs
the ability of teachers to maintain discipline and enforce the rules. No Child Left
Behind protects teachers, principals and other school professionals from frivolous
litigation when they take reasonable actions to maintain order and discipline in the
classroom. You
Anticipates the potential for violence in schools. Violence prevention pro-
grams must meet specified principles of effectiveness and be grounded in scientifi-
cally based research that provides evidence that the program to be used will reduce
Know
violence and illegal drug use. Under No Child Left Behind, states must report In 1996–97, 90 percent of
school safety statistics to the public on a school-by-school basis, and districts must public schools reported no
use federal school safety funding to establish a plan for keeping schools safe and serious violent crime to the
drug free. police or a law enforcement
Provides a mechanism for students to leave chronically dangerous schools. representative.
No Child Left Behind requires schools to implement a statewide policy requiring
Source: Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2001,
students to have the choice to attend a safe public school within the district if National Center for Education Statistics.
he/she attends a persistently dangerous public school or becomes a victim of a
violent crime while in or on the grounds of a public school the student attends.