"Education makes a political comeback in Washington"

[Pamela Ann Cameron]

     In an article entitled "Education makes a political comeback in Washington," author Kimberly Hefling discusses the proposed overhaul of the No Child Left Behind law from 2002.  Democrat Tom Harkin and Republican Mike Enzi presented a bipartisan bill that would "seek to give more control over education to states and local districts."  Since the passage of No Child Left Behind, there have existed many "unpopular aspects" to the bill from the perspective of many state and local governments.  The two parties were happy to have reached a compromise that they feel both parties can live with.

     The proposed new bill is 800 pages in length and Republican Paul Rand expressed his displeasure at not having enough time to research the various provisions.  Rand felt like the bill would still give too much control to the federal government, and it would still require the testing of students.  There was opposition from the other side of the aisle as well. "A coalition of 20 civil rights, disability rights and business groups, including the NAACP and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, expressed criticism of the overhaul. They said 'states would not have to set any measurable achievement and progress targets or even graduation rate goals' and huge numbers of low-achieving kids would slip through the cracks."  President Obama is not pleased because he felt the law needed a provision requiring teacher and principal evaluations.

     How does this apply to planning?  Did I hear anyone say money?  Obviously the new proposals to change No Child Left Behind will contain the usual federal carrot and stick approach that we have been discussing in class.  I sympathize with Congressman Rand's displeasure with the new proposal because he stated that he felt the No Child Left Behind Law should be totally scrapped.  Compromise is good because that is how our government works.  Nevertheless, some laws do not work out as well in reality as they sounded on paper.  Sometimes it is best to just begin again to address the issues. 

     I personally believe that educational planning and oversight should be dealt with on a local and state-wide basis. Different districts and states have different goals and needs.  Government should keep its nose out of many of the "issues" that it is trying to solve with a cookie-cutter mentality.  What do you think about No Child Left Behind?

 

The article appeared in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram on 10/19/2011.