Opinions on No Child Left Behind

Opinions on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) vary substantially among parents and teachers, proving that this legislation is one of the most controversial topics in education today.

No Child Left Behind is federal legislation based on the theory of standards-based educational reform, which essentially states that establishing measurable goals with high expectations can improve individual student achievement. NCLB reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--the main federal law affecting education from kindergarten through high school.

No Child Left Behind was proposed by President George W. Bush shortly after his inauguration. It was signed into law on January 8, 2002.

People who support the No Child Left Behind believe that this legislation is necessary to make sure children in the United States receive the best possible education. Arguments in support of NCLB include:

• An emphasis on reading, writing, and math is necessary to prepare children for academic success. Without developing skills in these areas, children will be unable to reach their post-secondary educational goals or find meaningful employment.
• The legislation makes it easier for parents to stay involved in their child's education by providing a report of student achievement and detailed explanations of what is expected to obtain proficiency in each subject area. Additionally, if a school fails to make suitable progress, the law allows parents to transfer their children to higher-performing local schools, request free tutoring, or enroll the children in special academic after-school programs.
• NCLB demands accountability in education, thus helping to close class and race based achievement gaps. Students are required to meet the same federal standards regardless of where they live or attend school.

While the legislation does have many supporters, an increasing number of negative opinions on No Child Left Behind are gaining widespread attention. Arguments against NCLB include:

• No Child Left Behind attributes the responsibility for a lack of student achievement to teachers and their curriculum development, but fails to recognize how factors such as class size and damaged buildings contribute to the problem. Issues affecting low-income students, such as inadequate health care, homelessness, and minimal parental involvement are also not addressed.
• A well-rounded student has an education that includes more than just the fundamental subjects. NCLB fails to recognize the importance of history, science, government, and foreign language study, for example. Teachers in many school districts also report they are being pressured to "teach to the test" instead of encouraging students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
• Not enough funding is being provided to implement the policies required by this legislation. As a result, cash-strapped school districts are forced to make cuts in areas such as art, music, and physical education in order to allocate more resources to the subjects covered by the No Child Left Behind testing.

If you're a parent interested in learning more about this important issue in educational reform, additional opinions on No Child Left Behind can be found by visiting the following Web sites:

• A Guide to Education and No Child Left Behind is a handbook produced by the U.S. Department of Education that explains the reasoning behind each initiative within the NCLB legislation.
• The White House Report on No Child Left Behind provides detailed information regarding the goals and perceived benefits of the legislation.
• The American Federation of Teachers, one of the most vocal opponents of NCLB, has a section of its Web site devoted to explaining what it views as the key flaws in the legislation.
• The National Education Association has a brief article outlining member's opinions on No Child Left Behind as well as what initiatives people believe should be added to the law.

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