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WPLLC > NCLB Insights > Archived Issue
NCLB Insights - NEWS AND COMMENTARY ON THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT
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Marathon NCLB Hearing Held in House
On September 10, in keeping with the House Education and Labor Committee’s pledge to an open process regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also commonly known as No Child Left Behind, or NCLB), an hours-long hearing was held that included the testimony of 44 witnesses.
In his opening remarks Chairman George Miller (D-CA) referred to the hearing as a “listening session”, noting that while questions were certainly appropriate, they would be limited in light of the many witnesses present. According to Miller, with increasing urgency, the public is saying that certain elements of NCLB are not fair; the law is not flexible enough; nor adequately funded. For these overarching reasons he is anxious to move a reauthorization bill to the House floor as quickly as possible. He asserts that the draft legislation released by Committee leadership remains true to the goal of 100 percent proficiency by 2013-14 and the need to close the achievement gap. Important changes reflect an effort to make sure the law requires a smarter system of accountability; provides more intensive support to schools needing the most help; and gives teachers the support and respect they deserve.
The six panels of witnesses focused on the following topics: Big Picture; High School Reform and Career Readiness; Civil Rights; Business, Foundation and Innovation; Teaching and School Leadership; and State and Local Administration.
Miller stated that submitted comments and the testimony presented at the hearing would be reviewed and taken into account as the Committee works to revise the bill, moving forward with their goal of completing the reauthorization process before the end of this first session of the 110th Congress. To review a copy of the Chairman and Ranking Member’s comments, as well as witnesses’ testimony go to: http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/fc091007.shtml.
MAJOR NCLB
DEVELOPMENTS
- Business Community Holds Event on NCLB
On September 5, the Business Coalition for Student Achievement (BCSA) sponsored a well-attended forum focusing on the accomplishments of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the need to support congressional efforts to reauthorize the law this year. The event featured an impressive list of speakers including: Education Secretary Margaret Spellings; House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and Ranking Member Buck McKeon (R-CA); Eduardo Cancino, superintendent of Hidalgo Independent School District, Hidalgo, TX; Ronald Jackson, founder and executive director of Citizens for Better Schools, Birmingham, AL; Ricki Sabia, associate director of the National Down Syndrome Society Policy Center; and Arthur Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial Inc. and co-chair of BCSA.
All speakers spoke passionately about the positive impact of NCLB and the need to reauthorize an improved version of the law so more students can achieve academic success and proficiency. Arthur Ryan explained that the BCSA – representing business leaders from every sector of the economy – believes that improving the performance of the K-12 education system in the United States is necessary to provide a strong foundation for both U.S. competitiveness and for individuals to succeed in the 21st century workforce.
For more information: http://www.biz4achievement.org/in_the_news/moving_forward.html
- NAGB Releases NAEP Results for Math and Reading 2007
On September 25, the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) released the results of “The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics 2007,” and “The Nation’s Report Card: Reading 2007” which detail the achievement of 4th and 8th graders on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Overall, for 4th grade the average reading and math scores increased for White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander students. For 8th graders, their average reading and math scores also increased and scores are up for White and Black students in both subjects and up for Hispanic students in mathematics. In response to the release of the results, Secretary Spellings pointed to the results as a rebuttal of a number of criticisms of NCLB and said the “slope of improvement” is encouraging. Complete versions of both reports are available at: http://nationsreportcard.gov/
CAPITOL HILL
- Boehner Advocates Increasing State Flexibility With NCLB Funds
In a letter to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and ranking member Buck McKeon (R-CA), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) called for increasing states’ spending flexibility in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization. While Boehner is opposed to any weakening of accountability, he and other Republicans are in favor of allowing states significant flexibility in the design and implementation of accountability systems. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-CA) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) have introduced the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A-PLUS) Act, which allows for this type of flexibility in developing accountability systems while still receiving federal money. Boehner also voiced his opposition to multiple measures of assessment saying that, “Portfolios and other subjective measures will only make it easier for underachieving schools to mask the poor achievement levels of certain subgroups.” For more information on Rep. Boehner’s views about NCLB reauthorization, please visit: http://johnboehner.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=73512
- P.E. and NCLB
This month, Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Zack Wamp (R-TN) and Jay Inslee (D-WA) held a press conference with the American Heart Association, educators and student members of the jump rope team High Flyers from Ligonier, Pennsylvania to urge the Education and Labor Committee to make physical education a priority in the reauthorization of NCLB. Also this month, the American Heart Association and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity held a briefing to highlight their new report, “F as in Fat 2007: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America.” In response to concerns of childhood obesity, the three Members are sponsoring H.R. 3257, the “Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids (FIT Kids) Act,” which would combat childhood obesity by modifying NCLB to strengthen physical education programs throughout the country.
DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION
- Puerto Rico Denied Reading First Funding
On September 24, Puerto Rico received its eighth denial for program funding. The Reading First Advisory Committee described Puerto Rico’s application as lacking coherence and an overall understanding of scientifically based reading research. The Committee however, did comment that there was a marked improvement from previous applications and will provide Puerto Rico with comments on needed improvements.
- GAO NCLB Report
On September 5, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the report “Education Should Clarify Guidance and Address Potential Compliance Issues for Schools in Corrective Action and Restructuring Status.” This report focuses on schools that have implemented restructuring programs to meet adequate yearly progress under NCLB. Based on the report results, the GAO recommends that the Secretary of ED inform schools in corrective action when they may continue this corrective action rather than employ a new method; States should report information on corrective action activities taken by each school; and ED should take additional steps to ascertain whether states are ensuring that districts provide the required assistance to schools. For more information on this report, visit: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d071035.pdf
IN THE
EDUCATION COMMUNITY
- NCLB Reauthorization Database
The Education Commission of the States launched a No Child Left Behind Reauthorization database on September 5. The database is a collection of recommendations on NCLB reauthorization made by various interested organizations. The database is intended to be a “one-stop source” allowing for easy access to who is suggesting what about NCLB. The searchable database provides organization’s policy positions on issues including: growth models, flexibility for special education students, English-language learners, professional development, and special assistance for high-need schools. To see the full database, visit: http://www.ecs.org/ecsmain.asp?page=/html/educationIssues/NCLBreauthorization/NCLB_parapro_DB_intro.asp
- Teachers Called to Improve Student Preparedness for College and Workforce
According to the Alliance for Excellent Education issue brief “High School Teaching for the Twenty-first Century: Preparing Students for College,” just because a student graduates from high school does not necessarily adequately prepare them for attending college or entering the workforce. This issue brief suggests that meaningful high school reform hinges on teaching that is cognizant of – and aligned to – the expectations of colleges and employers. The issue brief calls for the expansion of efforts currently underway to raise high school standards and increase course requirements for graduation. For more information on the Alliance for Excellent Education issue brief, visit: http://all4ed.org/publications/HSTeach21st.pdf
- More Information Needed on Title I Part D Students
Over 50 State officials gathered at the American Institute for Research to discuss the needs of Title I Part D students (students in alternative facilities like correctional facilities, group homes or Indian reservations). Reliable numbers on this particular group of student have always been hard to come by, making it difficult for education officials and educators to ensure Title I Part D students are in the proper programs and receiving the proper education. Due to the difficulties in obtaining accurate data, ED did not require States to report data on this demographic of students until three years after the implementation of NCLB. ED is now pushing administrators to collect more comprehensive data on these students in an effort to ensure that they are being placed in the correct programs.
- What Americans Think About Their Schools
According to “What Americans Think About Their Schools,” a publication by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the Hoover Institution, a majority of Americans support the reauthorization of NCLB. While most parents in the report gave their schools a “C” grade, they are in favor of investing in public education. However, the report also shows that parents are also taking sides on the more controversial issues surrounding K-12 public education, favoring high levels of accountability, merit pay for teachers, and the reauthorization of NCLB. To view this report, visit: http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/8769517.html
- FEA for Multiple Measures in NCLB
In a letter to Congress on September 19, the Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA) called on Members to support the inclusion of multiple forms of assessment and multiple indicators of student and school achievement in any reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. The letter noted that the Joint Organizational Statement on No Child Left Behind, which has the backing of numerous civil rights organizations, supports the inclusion of multiple measures for assessing student learning. To view the letter, visit: http://www.edaccountability.org/MultiMeasLttrSept07.pdf
- South Carolina Survey Shows Public in Agreement on School Reform
After more than 3,000 hours of interviews with nearly 800 people representing every school district in South Carolina, the Center for Education Policy and Leadership at the Riley Institute has released the results for the large and comprehensive study on public, K-12 education. The stakeholders surveyed agreed on improving a large number of initiatives, including: class size, family literacy programs, parent involvement, dropout prevention, and curriculum improvement. Many of the survey participants have begun to take part in roundtable discussions on specific education reforms. For more information on this report, visit: http://cepl.furman.edu/index.php
- Cato Institute Holds Briefing on NCLB
The Cato Institute held a briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss its new report that claims the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) does not improve academic achievement, fails to deliver parental choice, and impedes “truly effective reforms.” The authors of “End It, Don’t Mend It: What to Do with No Child Left Behind,” Cato’s Neal McCluskey and Andrew Coulson, conclude that NCLB oversteps the federal government’s constitutional limits and recommend that NCLB not be reauthorized, removing federal involvement in education and returning control to localities. The report claims that NCLB currently suffers from competing, partisan ideas, and suggest that NCLB be phased out in favor of school choice. To view the Cato Institute report visit: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8680
IN THE NEWS
RECENT
PUBLICATIONS
CALENDAR
- October 8-12, 2007:Senate in recess for Columbus Day
- October 10-12, 2007: NCTM Richmond Regional Conference and Exposition, Richmond, VA
- October 15, 2007:Senate reconvenes
- October 19-21:ASCD Connecting Instruction and Assessment conference, Atlanta, GA
- October 24-26, 2007: NCTM Kansas City Regional Conference and Exposition, Kansas City, MO
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