The Pros And Cons Of No Child Left Behind Act

1843 Words4 Pages

Getting a quality education itself is extremely important not only to help students succeed in school but also to succeed in college and life. The No Child Left Behind Act is a highly debated issue with two sides. One side seems to think the Act has worked and should be kept the way it is, while others think it needs to be restructured.
In 2002, former President George Bush and his administration brought forth the No Child Left Behind Act. They thought the educational system needed some help. There has been lots of controversy over The No Child Left Behind Act. Many lawmakers agree that it must be restructured (Aronson ). Public elementary and secondary school students of different regions, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds have an achievement …show more content…

Schools and districts are required under No Child Left Behind to show annual results of the state assessments (No Child Left Behind: A Parents Guide). Each state chooses which assessment tests are to be administered to its students. The same assessment test must be used for all students in a single grade level throughout the state so that results can be compared. The No Child Left Behind Act requires either an annual 95 percent student participation rate or a three-year average of 95 percent student participation in assessment tests for schools to make adequate yearly progress(Aronson). The only way we can expect to see results in failing schools is by holding them responsible for their assessment results. Over half of fourth graders surveyed across the country cannot read at grade level, and about the same percentage struggle with mathematics (Rich). Eighth graders fare even worse with only 29% proficient in reading and 32% proficient in mathematics (Rich). Less than 25% of 12th graders are considered proficient in mathematics, a frightening prospect for those ready to seek employment or enroll in higher education …show more content…

States that are struggling under the law can apply for waivers to exempt them from meeting the 2014 targets. In exchange for the waiver, the state must set state-specific, federally approved goals. For example, Massachusetts was the first states to be granted a waiver. Its goal was to cut its number of underperforming students in half with in six years. Some of the other states plan to focus on lowering the dropout rates, and assess teacher’s performances more accurately. As of September 2012, thirty-four states and the District of Columbia had been granted NCLB waivers, suggesting a general distaste for the program among state school systems

Open Document