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‘No Child’ Law Remains at Top of Bush Record

On Education Policy, Critics Contend President Scored Early, But Not Often

A month after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush invited four senior lawmakers to the White House—two Republicans and two Democrats. Although national security surely was the most pressing issue on the president’s mind, this talk in the Oval Office wasn’t about protecting the homeland or fighting terrorists overseas. It was about education.

Mr. Bush wanted to re-emphasize in person his desire to see Congress complete work that year on one of his top domestic priorities—a major school initiative—and to check on the progress. And the lawmakers present, the top Republican and Democrat on both the House and Senate education committees, reiterated their determination to get the job done.

It wasn’t the last time they would all meet over the next two months. And shortly before Christmas 2001, less than a year after the president came to office, Congress delivered. Overwhelming majorities in both chambers backed what is arguably the most far-reaching federal education...