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The Parental is Political

Do you really know what the No Child Left Behind Act is all about?

By Julie Marsh

As a teacher, I completely agree with what you have written. You've done a wonderful job summarizing what NCLB is all about.

One good thing about it, from my perspective as a parent, is that any teacher in a public school must now have the credential for the class which they are teaching. It sounds like a given, but before NCLB some things were allowed to "slide" as long as the teacher was credentialed. Now, your child's teachers are all specifically credentialed in the subject area they teach (whether it is multiple subject elementary or middle school math).

And, as a public school teacher, let me just add this about private schools. Not all private schools require their teachers to be credentialed, so while the teachers may be good people, they don't necessarily have the training that is required of ALL public school teachers. And as anyone who has ever taught or attempted to substitute teach would know, it's not something that just anyone can do. (I know that's not really on-topic, but I had to get that in there.)

Posted by: Alison | Mar 06, 2007 14:05

Check out this website for interesting information regarding NCLB.
http://www.educatorroundtable.org//

Posted by: Heather | Mar 06, 2007 14:17

NCLB was short-sighted and underfunded. Unchecked NCLB turns Public education into nothing more than a testocracy. However, it has on some level acted as a catalyst for reform. I'm encouraged by efforts of NCLB commission co-chairs, Roy Barnes (D-former governor of GA) and Tommy G. Thompson (R-former gov. Wisconsin)to make recommendations for meaningful revisions to the NCLB legislation.

But, many educators and parents realize that we can not afford to wait around for our government to rescue our schools. Many systems have implemented initiatives and programs designed to effectively meet the everchanging needs of all students.

Posted by: kim | Mar 23, 2007 12:48

As a college student, I read the Kozol books about our failing education systems in the U.S. He wrote about schools all over the nation where there wasn't enough property tax, state and federal funding to support basics like building maintenance and current text books. That was back in the 1990's. I just wonder now, with the failed funding and the increased budget cuts stemming from NCLB, what struggling schools can do to teach even the most basic of skills.

I'm a person who believes that most people are inherently good, well-intentioned and caring, but this administration has left me speechless countless times. So sad to feel ashamed of your own president and leaders. It is good to know that there are those in leadership who are working to fix this damaged system.

Posted by: Sonia | Mar 27, 2007 15:54

"As a college student, I read the Kozol books about our failing education systems in the U.S. He wrote about schools all over the nation where there wasn't enough property tax, state and federal funding to support basics like building maintenance and current text books."

It would seem like more funding is the easy answer, but it begs the question -- why is the tuition at private schools typically half the per student expenditure at public schools? And that's while operating as a "for profit"! Makes me think it's not a money problem, but rather a money management one.

Posted by: prescott | Mar 27, 2007 16:20

God bless you for showing NCLB what it really is! Should you want any more interviews with the people who actually have to implement NCLB, e-mail me.

:)Jen

Posted by: Jen | Apr 12, 2007 16:18

NCLB is yet another symptom of politicizing things where politics have no place. Education is a community issue, so political solutions don't work, it's that simple. Thinking as a community of people who care about each other and want the best for each other doesn't lead to treating children like statistics, which is fundamentally what NCLB does.

Posted by: Lieren | Oct 06, 2007 14:01

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