A Goodbye for Bush's Schoolhouse
No Child Left Behind, the federal education law hailed as George W. Bush's most significant domestic achievement—before it became unpopular with teachers and parents—might be on its way out, if recent events are any indication. The quaint red schoolhouse that was constructed outside the Education Department's Washington headquarters seven years ago after the legislation was signed, as a symbol that every child must be taught and every child must learn, has been torn down by construction workers.
Many are calling the demolition proof that President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are eager to make their mark on national education reform and the No Child Left Behind law in particular. NCLB logos on the department's elevators also have been targeted for removal. Matthew Yale, Duncan's deputy chief of staff, told the Washington Post that the department is even considering a contest to rename the law.
"We want to think about something that's forward-thinking instead of something that seems to have a negative connotation," he said. "We want to think of something that talks about future and potential."
Tags: George W. Bush | education | Arne Duncan | education reform
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Leonard D. Miles
The best information i have found exactly here. Keep going Thank you
NCLB Whitewash in Ohio ...
NCLB was a farce here in Ohio creating a system of inequity and widening the gap for children from low income and high income situations by hiding the "failures" in charter schools that were exempted from proficiency testing.
For many high school seniors around Ohio not eligible for a diploma, "certification of completions" offered through ODE were given to hide the failures.
There were also gimicky study aid programs for Ohio proficiency tests that were sold to schools on contract via a mystery Texas "education" company probably backed by the same folks who brought you NCLB.
No Child Left Behind
It seems to me that the problem is not with the regulation, it is with the way that it is being interpreted and implemented. Isn't the "intent" to ensure that all teachers/school systems are held accountable to ensure that all children are "educated" according to agreed upon "standards" so that a child doesn't get "screwed" because they happen to be in a class/school that is inept. Once again we seem to complicate matters instead of focusing on the reason for the regulation. If we don't continue, or build upon this law, then all the effort, time and money will have been wasted. We will then have to spend more effort, time and money for something "new". More politicians and others will have more jobs and the kid's will once again get screwed.
I have two children currently receiving special education services because the schools/other progessionals didn't do their job. They, and I, have endured years of trauma trying to get them the education that they deserve. During this time, I have seen positive things happening because of regulations that have been implemented. The problems seem to be all the time an energy complaining about the laws instead of how things can be done for the benefit of all.
I may be simplifying things, but really, let's stop this nonsense and make the system work.
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