Is the No Child Left Behind Act a good policy?

Question

Why? How could it be better? What should be done?

Answer 1

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is no more (or less) broken than the public schooling system was before it was signed into action. Public schools in America are a failed institution. The only reason we keep hanging on is twofold: one, we're too lazy (on average) to make a better system for our kids; and two, the teachers' unions have sold the country a line of fear about what will happen if we change the system. The teachers' unions spread this myth that more money is the answer. Did you know that public schools, on average, spend at least $2,000 more per student per year than private schools? This is not about money, it's about managing money and people effectively. So long as teachers run the administration of the schools and school systems this will continue to happen. Teachers need to be involved, but managers are needed to lead.

I spent my entire childhood in public schools. In elementary school, I spent my day in the classroom with 30 other regular kids, and at night I went to GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) so I could learn at the right level, which was two grade levels above my daytime class. In junior high, my parents sent me to a private school for 2 years, and I loved it. I flourished there and really enjoyed the academic process. I could get ahead and stay there instead of waiting for the rest of the class to catch up so I could then get ahead again.

In high school I was back in the public school system. High school was better than elementary school, academically, but the social damage of being taunted by dumber, more popular kids was done. It was cool to be stupid. Being intelligent, even though my appearance was not a "nerdy" one (6'2", 180 lbs, very athletic), made me stand out as a target for other students to ridicule. People always talk about the importance of "socialization" in the public school systems. Is this what they mean? This is my only real experience with "socialization." That word is a fraudulent method to scare parents that their kids will be unprepared for life if they buck the public school system.

It took me a couple years to find myself again after high school. I went on to college, where I felt welcomed and encourage to be smart. I graduated with two undergraduate degrees. I went on to join the Air Force, where I have been very successful, and completed a Master's Degree along the way.

Now that I am also a parent (3 kids), my take on public schools is even more focused and more damaging. I don't just see them as the gauntlet that I had to run, which changed me in ways I had to later overcome. I see them as a source for negative influence on my own children, and I can't tolerate that. No matter how well-intended some of the teachers are (and some really do just want to do right by the kids), the social interactions and behaviors I have witnessed led me to pull my own children out. We homeschool our kids now with proven curriculums and my wife (an RN) conducts the studies with the kids.

Homeschooling and private schools are not an option for many Americans, and for that reason public schools have to change. I think the greatest failure of the NCLB act was the exclusion of education vouchers, which President Bush talked about when he presented the NCLB idea. They would take the money away from the schools and give it directly to the parents. The parents would than decide which school to "spend" their voucher on. Good schools would get more students and have the money to increase their resources. Failing schools would have fewer students and more opportunity to find ways to improve themselves. This process, no matter how it is done, will not be painless. The public school system is in too advanced a stage of necrosis to simply shock it with one swift action and get it back on track. This is going to take a comprehensive and long range plan to work it back into shape. You don't throw a morbidly obese individual on a treadmill for 30 minutes and suddenly they are fit and healthy. The same is true for the bloated, inefficient, bureaucracy that we call our public school system.

Answer 2

In my opinion, this policy contradicts what it sets out to do. Think I'm crazy? Let me explain. I am a higher level student, AP classes, high GPA ranking, etc. In the process of 75% of the teachers in my school trying to catch up all of those who fall behind, I--and others like myself--are left behind. How could this program be better? Focus equally on all students. Give those ready to move ahead the chance to do so. And, give those who need time to review stuff a time to review--but, do not dwell on them if they are unwilling to work.

Answer 3

I don't think so just for the reason that if a child is not passing, then they obviously need more help. If they are passed from grade to grade and then can't pass the graduation test then they will most likely quit school. If they had extra tutoring or were held back for failing then they might take it more seriously or get the help they need to succeed. Sending them on isn't helping them, just passing the problem a step higher:-)

Answer 4

It may have some good intentions and it's a nice thought that no child will be left behind, but it's not doing much good.

Answer 5

Im not really sure what the act entails, and im not the only one, the schools themselves dont seem to be sure either. I think it is just another one of those ideas to fix the worlds problems that someone thought up to justify their paycheck, with little or no thought about what it means or how to accomplish it.