Rod Paige, Key Architect of Landmark 'No Child Left Behind' Law, Dies at 92
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Rod Paige, the former U.S. Secretary of Education who helped create the landmark No Child Left Behind law, has died. He was 92.
Paige served as Secretary from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. His main achievement was implementing the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.
This law was President Bush's signature education policy. It required states to test students annually in reading and math. The goal was to track student progress and hold schools accountable for results.
The policy sparked major national debate. Supporters said it highlighted achievement gaps. Critics argued it led to too much standardized testing.
Before his federal role, Paige was a school superintendent in Houston, Texas. He was the first African American to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education.
His work fundamentally changed the conversation about accountability in American public schools.