U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Monmouth, has joined a growing number of members of Congress who have signed the Pledge to America’s School Children. An initiative of the National School Boards Association, the pledge signifies lawmakers’ support for five education goals:

• Improve No Child Left Behind to give school districts better ways to measure student and school performance.
  
  
• Help districts meet the needs of students with disabilities by supporting full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.
  
  
• Support school readiness programs for children entering kindergarten.
  
  
• Help districts attract, train and retain highly qualified teachers.
  
  
• Help districts provide their students with the math, science, and technology skills needed in the 21st Century.