The American Association of School Administrators, the professional organization for school superintendents and other school system leaders, issued the following statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama pledged his commitment to improving schools and raising student achievement.

As school districts nationwide face steep funding shortfalls, in spite of the federal stimulus spending, it is critical that Congress and the administration ensure schools have the resources they need to fuel economic recovery and growth. Districts are making tough decisions about programs and personnel that can be cut with the least impact student achievement, while also facing a looming ‘funding cliff’ at the end of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Now more than ever, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (the law currently known as No Child Left Behind) must be rewritten to reflect its original purpose: success for all children, especially disadvantaged children. ESEA’s formulas must be focused on those with the greatest need: low-income students in rural, urban and suburban settings. In addition, as funding shortfalls continue to divert resources from critical education programs, it is essential that Congress fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to ensure children with disabilities receive the best possible education and services.

We applaud the president’s emphasis on education. However, the devil is in the details. We look forward to seeing the details in the FY2011 budget request the president sends to Congress on Monday.”