No Child Left Behind (NCLB) - Scrap, Keep or Punt until 08?

The reauthorization of No Child Left Behind will be a contentions battle. We knew that. We knew it would be politically polarizing and that it would get worse due to the coming Presidential elections as both the candidates of both parties steer toward the extremes in order to survive the primaries. That is happening.

On Monday, July 23, CNN and YouTube hosted the Democratic presidential candidates debate in Charleston, SC and NCLB came up. The replies fit the expectation perfectly. Some candidates said scrap it, others said it should be reauthorized and others acknowledged that it needs work but that its focus on accountability should not be lost in the process. That about covers the spectrum; and that, if nothing else, makes it clear that the law, barring something extraordinary, will not likely be be completed in 2007. As many pundits have predicted, it will likely become a creature of the 2008 Presidential election. And, no, Bill Richardson's response is not remixed. He just had some trouble with idea flow, but he got his point across. There is, however, a cut to Sen. Dodd's response who jumped in during the next question regarding whether their own children go to public or private school.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• NCLB
• ESEA

[biz4kids]

Want smart education?

Then empower kids to learn how to be entrepreneurs early on in life. Schools should teach the subject, after all these kids are either going to work for a company (profit or non profit) or create their own path by owning businesses. Let's really teach them real life lessons. Why do we still have to follow the industrial age style of education while we are in digital, service- oriented age?

[wilburjr]

A decent minimum starting wage for teachers sounds pretty good to me. It's one of the most seriously important jobs in this society! Please view searchword wilburjr-thanks.

[stnickP]

a minimum starting wage wouldn't do much. There would still be an educational inequality; better teachers would still be attracted to the suburbian and more homogenous schools, where kids are better behaved. One of the reasons that solving the educational crisis is so difficult is that it is harder to make kids want to learn who have such a lack of motivation. Often, teachers become babysitters rather than educators.

I like what biz4kids said alot, too.

[lennygiardino]

Great Job

[Tarayani]

I agree. His foreign policy ideas are great too. It's a pity he hasn't got a chance now.

[Imerica1]

I could vote for him now, also.

[mandolinking]

Wow. I could vote for Bill Richardson on this topic alone. He at least understands the concepts behind eductation!

[DaveLendl]

I couldn't have said it better myself. Some people are leaders, some are followers. All should have the oppertunity to both.