OLYMPIA - The U.S. Secretary of Education came to our state Wednesday, bringing nearly $2-million to help struggling schools. It is part of the Bush Administration's "No Child Left Behind" mandate.

But the governor and educators here say they need more than money. They need a change in the law.

Teachers and administrators say they're all feeling the pressure of the federal "No Child Left Behind" law. It says for states to continue to get federal dollars, all students will be performing at their grade level or better by 2014. That includes non-English speaking students.

The chief architect of "No Child Left Behind" is Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings who came to Washington knowing there's harsh criticism of the law.

"I think as teachers we've always put children first," Roosevelt Elementary principal Domenico Spatola-Knoll of Olympia told Spellings. "We've never purposefully said 'we're going to leave a child behind.'"

State superintendent Dr. Terry Bergeson added, "We've got to recognize the heart and soul of our educators and how hard they're working." Spellings replied: "I agree."

Education, business and legislative leaders all let the secretary know the law needs more flexibility to reward schools that are making progress even though they haven't achieved the federal goal.

"And somehow in the process, "No Child Left Behind" seems to be penalizing despite progress," Gov. Chris Gregoire said.

Spellings agreed.

"Yes, there are some rough edges that can be smoothed, but the core values, these core principles of every kid on grade level by 2014 are really broadly supported by the congress and in the states.

"I think 'No Child Left Behind' has been an important game changer in our federal conversation about education. We can improve this law and we should."

The secretary promised to work with these leaders to make sure "No Child Left Behind" doesn't leave the schools with more harm done than good.

Spellings headed from that roundtable discussion to meet with Bill Gates in Redmond.