No Child Left Behind -- Flawed yet Proactive (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | On a chilly January day a decade ago, President George W. Bush traveled to a Cincinnati high school to sign landmark education reform legislation, the No Child Left Behind Act. The law is not perfect, but no bill ever has been. The No Child Left Behind Act is a bit flawed, but it got public school districts moving in the right direction, ushering in a new era of accountability for educators. Public schools should be required to educate all typical students to read and write at grade level.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the bill that was co-authored by West Chester, Ohio, Congressman and Speaker of the House John Boehner, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The controversial bill was an update to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The achievement-based bill issued in a round of grade level based standardized tests requiring 100 percent proficiency by the 2013-2014 school year.

A standardized mode of testing and comparing school districts around the country was a sound idea. The only downside is the adapted test which special needs students must take. Many nontypical students are working far below grade level or have severe limitations which will always prevent passage. Students completing an adapted education curriculum should be tested to make sure they are learning to the best of their abilities, but the results should not be weighted the same or included in the district's overall score.

Teaching to the test is not necessary. Students who have been successfully taught to read and comprehend and grade level will meet proficiency benchmarks on the standardized tests. Math formulas are not listed inside the test booklets, but all other information students need to answer questions is provided on the page. Teaching children of all income levels and those who must endure a less than advantageous home life is not an easy task, but that is why quality teachers are so appreciated and respected.

Although technology equipment and state-of-the-art science labs surely enhance the learning experience, they are not necessary to teach students how to read and think. All careers have pros and cons and teaching is no exception. Accountability is good for students, teachers and public school districts.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oped/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120109/cm_ac/10812465_no_child_left_behind__flawed_yet_proactive

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