Posted by student SANFORD JOHNSON – In 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law with great fanfare. NCLB called for new standards in math, reading, language and science. States were responsible for testing students in elementary, middle and high school to make sure that all students, regardless of background, were meeting these standards. Severe consequences would befall schools that failed to meet these tougher standards. Americans were told that this bill would be the most effective education reform legislation in decades.
No Child Left Behind has improved public education by putting American focus on high standards, quality performance assessments, and increased accountability. Unfortunately, flaws in its implementation have negated hopes for meaningful reform. While this legislation created federal oversight, it failed to provide federal standards and support. In addition, the promised measures of accountability often fail to materialize. While the act has some positive aspects, its shortcomings leave it ineffective and counterproductive.
NCLB calls for more rigorous academic standards, yet no uniform national standards were put in place. Instead, each state is responsible for not only creating the standards, but also assessing academic performance. As a result, many states lowered their standards, setting the bar low enough for most students to be considered “proficient.” States were also required to set the same standards for lower-performing students. But pulling up these students would require significant education reform, which is difficult to achieve due to funding shortages and the jumbled priorities of competing stakeholders. The federal government must play a more active role in adding uniformity to our public school system.
While proponents of NCLB speak of greater accountability, this legislation’s bark is far greater than its bite. Before any major intervention, failing schools must fail for 5 years, a difficult task with watered-down state standards. Influence from various unions also makes it difficult to dismiss ineffective teachers and administrators. Finally, NCLB supporters tout parental options that aren’t attainable to many parents in low-income areas, where failing schools are more prevalent. They don’t have many public or private alternatives, nor do they have the means to move to a better school district. Simply put, accountability is an unfulfilled promise.
To be effective, NCLB must be improved in uniformity and accountability. National curriculum standards and uniform assessments must be created immediately. Congress must also provide more funds for states to address the needs of under-resourced schools. States need to give each and every school district the power to appoint their superintendents, as well as terminate instructors and administrators that fail to produce results. High school coaches shouldn’t be the only district employees held accountable for student performance. Until more is done to create uniform standards and true accountability, No Child Left Behind will be nothing more than bureaucratic hot air.
*This is the second in a series of five student position papers on the No Child Left Behind Act. The students wrote these for their education policy seminar at the Clinton School.
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