Sample School Board Resolution

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

 Here is an example of the kind of resolution a local school board could pass. In
many districts it would be easy to add specific local examples of how NCLB has
unfairly labeled local schools as failures. The resolution could be publicized in
the local media. The board could send copies to U.S. Senators and the local
member of Congress.

Erase, Rewrite and Reauthorize!
Sample School Board Resolution


WHEREAS, a strong public school system is the cornerstone of our society, and,

WHEREAS, the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and its
subsequent reauthorizations through 2001 were passed with the goal of
strengthening and supporting our nation?s public schools, and,

WHEREAS, the 2001 reauthorization of ESEA called No Child Left Behind has
undermined public schools and support for public education, and,

WHEREAS, NCLB?s accountability model sets up schools for failure, and currently,
unfairly labels one out of five California public schools as failing, and,

WHEREAS, Congress and the President have broken their promise to provide the
resources necessary to implement NCLB, creating a federally unfunded, mandated
liability on local school districts totaling billions of dollars, and,

WHEREAS, NCLB uses a ?one-size-fits-all? approach instead of recognizing the
diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and needs of individual students, and fails
to address assessment needs unique to English Learners and students with
disabilities, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the (SCHOOL BOARD NAME) urges Congress and the President to
reauthorize ESEA and erase the provisions of NCLB that are undermining schools,
and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the rewritten law include accountability measures
that use more than just test scores as indicators of success, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the rewritten law use growth models that recognize
school progress, student improvement, and student needs, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the rewritten law offer assistance and resources to
schools instead of sanctions, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the rewritten law offer resources to reduce class
sizes and that it support other proven reforms that improve student learning.

RESOLVED, this _____day of ______, 2007, that the rewritten ESEA should once
again be legislation that helps public schools improve, recognizes that
improvement, and restores public confidence in our nation?s education system.

George Sheridan