No Child Left Behind is called President Bush's crowning domestic achievement, and it passed five years ago with support from liberal Democrats in both houses of Congress. NCLB is supposed to make every American kid "proficient" in reading and math by 2014, but after five years that sounds like a pipe dream. Proficiency standards differ wildly from state to state, and some tests are being made easier so that scores will improve. Schools that have not improved are not being held accountable and angry parents in many places have gone to court. Is it time for national standards? Are test scores the best measures? What about merit pay for teachers?
Time to Reform No Child Left Behind?
Credits
Guests:
- David Hoff - Associate Editor, Education Week
- Jeff Kuhner - Communications Director, Fordham Institute
- Karin Chenoweth - Senior Writer, Achievement Alliance
- Valarie Lewis - Principal, PS/MS 124
- Monty Neill - Co-Executive Director, FairTest Coalition