Time to Leave NCLB Behind

[Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>]

Significant editorial from a major regional newspaper in a deep "Red" 
portion of Florida (voter registration more than 2:1 Republican)

LEAVE THIS ACT BEHIND
Southwest Florida News-Press Editorial
February 2, 2008

The No Child Left Behind Act is an admirable goal, intended to improve 
students' performance and hold schools accountable. President Bush 
lauded the policy during his State of the Union Address and urged 
Congress to reauthorize the legislation, which went into effect six 
years ago.

We like the fact that NCLB has put a national focus on education and 
called for more "highly qualified" teachers. Too many states were 
content to shuffle children along from grade to grade, whether or not 
basic skills were mastered.

Now that the federal government has gotten states' attention by 
threatening to withhold funding for underperforming schools, it's time 
to get out of the way and let them try again. NCLB simply has too many 
negatives to be renewed.

Bush said critics want to "undermine the act by weakening standards and 
accountability." But the legislation attempts to force students and 
schools into rigid, cookie-cutter models. That runs contrary to the 
substantial research that says educators must recognize and respond to 
differences in learning style and capacity.

Although Bush boasted of a 36 percent increase in funding since 2001, 
critics say it's insufficient to meet NCLB mandates such as highly 
qualified teachers. U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the 
House's Education and Labor Committee, produced a report last year that 
showed the amount schools needed to fund requirements from 2002-2006. 
The shortfall increased each year and the total deficit was $40.2 billion.

Besides being underfunded, NCLB relies too heavily on test scores to 
gauge student learning and school performance. The flaw of standardized 
tests as the sole measure of achievement is well-documented. Moreover, 
states have a strong incentive to manipulate test results to attain 
federal incentives and avoid penalties.

NCLB can actually punish high-performing students, as schools focus more 
time, energy and money on low performers to show gains. And the idea 
that every student can attain the same high standards discounts the 
range of human nature.

Well-intentioned as it was, Congress should put NCLB in the rear mirror 
and give states another chance behind the steering wheel.