President Obama plans to overhaul the No Child Left Behind act that President George W. Bush put in place in 2002. During Obama’s video address on Saturday he said, "Unless we take action — unless we step up — there are countless children who will never realize their full talent and potential. I don't accept that future for them. And I don't accept that future for the United States of America." After repairing No Child Left Behind, education officials will stop punishing schools that don't meet certain standards, and focus on rewarding schools for progress.
The current law states that schools should meet grade-level proficiency, while the new standards will make sure that students are ready for college or a career. It will also allow states to use subjects other than reading and math as part of their measurements for meeting federal goals. That would please groups that say No Child Left Behind discourages teachers from focusing on many other important subjects like history, art, and science. For the first time in 45 years the White House is proposing a $4 billion increase in federal education spending. Most of that money will go to increase the competition among states for grand money.
There will be many changes to the current law. The name No Child Left Behind will be done-away with because it is associated with harsh laws. By 2020, all students graduating from high school will need to be ready for college or a career. The current law says all students need to be performing at grade level in reading and math by 2014. The new law will also give more rewards (money and flexibility) to high-poverty schools that are largely gaining student achievement. It would use these schools as a model for other high-poverty schools that have low student achievement. In this new law, punishment will go towards the lowest-performing 5% of schools. It will use aggressive measures, such as replacing the principal or teaching staff, having the state take over federal funding for poor students, or flat out closing the school. Obama will send the update of the law to Congress on Monday.
I am for the re-writing of the No Child Left Behind act. I really like the ideas that Obama will be putting in this new law, whatever it may be called. I’m very much in agreement with preparing students for college or a career instead of focusing on performing at grade level. There are many kids, myself included, that are already at the college level in all or most of their academic areas. By helping all kids with preparations for college or a career you’re helping them more with life after school. You’re going to use that kind of help much more than you will by being tested how many times on stuff at your exact grade level. I also agree with giving more rewards to the high-poverty schools that are seeing their students achieve much more than before. Children of poverty are more likely to be high school dropouts, so it’s a great thing to see those kids really focus on their schoolwork. And think of how much more that will happen when you reward them for their great work! I think a name change for No Child Left Behind is also a great idea. That name is going to haunt America in such a bad way. I’m excited to see this new law in action!
President Obama's No Child Left Behind Statement (I had trouble posting the video once again. Sorry!)
Source
Comments