No Child Left Behind
is a Failure; so,
Let's Do More Of The Same

Study after study, analysis after analysis is showing us that Bush's seductively-named No Child Left Behind act is a failure -- total and complete.  So, what does the Bush junta want to do about it?  Why, it's their usual answer -- stay the course, more of the same.  Are they out of ideas or just stupid?

http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=100480

 Paige Papers Over Problems

According to Secretary of Education Rod Paige, the only thing needed to ensure the success of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is more of the same. On Sept. 24, Paige – in an all too familiar refrain – insisted "if we remain resolute and steadfast, year by year, more powerful and positive changes will follow." Paige declared the debate on whether NCLB is working "is over." But a new report by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that the administrative implementation of NCLB is wracked with problems. According to the report, Paige and the Education Department have "failed to give adequate guidance to help states comply with the goals of NCLB." As a result, many states have not yet had their plans to carry out the law fully approved, remain uncertain about how to obtain full approval, and are unlikely to meet expanded testing and accountability standards that go into effect for the 2005-2006 school year.

TWENTY-FOUR STATES STILL LEFT BEHIND: On 6/10/03, President Bush declared, "We're making good progress in terms of the implementation of our accountability systems...this morning, Secretary Paige has approved the plans of 17 more states, bringing us to a total of 100 percent of the accountability plans in place." Bush added, "every state, plus Puerto Rico and the District, are now complying with the No Child Left Behind Act after one year." According to the GAO, at the time of Bush's announcement only "11 state plans met all NCLB requirements." As of 7/31/04 – more than a year after Bush's announcement – 24 states still have not received full approval.

PAIGE REFUSES TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE: The GAO recommends that the Department of Education "delineate in writing the process and time frames that are appropriate for each state's particular circumstances to meet conditions for full approval." The Department of Education has told the GAO that it will not accept this recommendation. Because of Paige's stubborn refusal to act, states will have difficulty meeting the new requirements, as well has the goal of 100 percent reading and math proficiency at each grade level by 2014.

STATES PLAGUED BY POOR DATA: Under NCLB, states are required to measure student progress through testing. But the GAO report reveals that, in many cases, efforts to measure progress are "hampered by poor and unreliable student data." Inaccurate data "may result in states incorrectly identifying schools as not meeting annual goals and incorrectly trigger provisions for school choice and supplemental services." The Department of Education "has a critical role in assisting states to improve the quality of data used for assessment and reporting." The GAO concluded that the Department of Education isn't doing enough to help states.

UNDERFUNDING HAS AN IMPACT: To date, the Bush administration has underfunded No Child Left Behind by $27 billion. As a result, "millions of children across the country are not getting the education services they have been promised, such as additional in-class instruction, critical services like after-school programs, and better teacher quality." Find out the impact on your state.