Everyone’s favorite piece of education legislation turns six today. Happy Birthday, No Child Left Behind. Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan, and one of the fathers, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) gives his Child a mixed review in the Washington Post. On the plus side, “modest” improvement in student achievement and a focus on data that improves teaching and learning. On the down side, NCLB’s “one-size-fits-all approach encourages ‘teaching to the test’ and discourages innovation in the classroom.” Credit the Senator for sticking up for NCLB when the Dems are fighting each other to throw it under the “change” bus. Meanwhile the law’s still-proudest papa went to an elementary school in Chicago Monday to say NCLB is the greatest thing since sliced bread with raisins. For wonks only: the press “gaggle” with Ed Secretary Margaret Spellings aboard Air Force One en route to Chicago.
Back on the stump, NCLB is either “is a costly and disastrous foray into federal control of schools or a lofty plan that needs fixing” depending on which candidate you ask. So writes Laura Green in the Palm Beach Post in a strong roundup of who’s saying what about NCLB on the campaign trail.
Watch this space for our roundup wise men and women weighing in on NCLB’s chances for reauthorization.
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