Pros & Cons of the No Child Left Behind Act

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a centerpiece policy of the Bush Administration, expires in 2007, and must be reauthorized by Congress to remain law.

Although it was opposed in 2001 by every major teachers' union, the Act easily passed Congress with strong bipartisan support. And there's little doubt that a modified and amended version of NCLB will be passed by Congress.

The burning question is: how, and how radically, will NCLB be overhauled? For one, the Bush Administration is pushing to allow students in schools classified as "failing" to transfer to private and religious schools at federal expense.

A group of more than 100 major religious denominations and civil rights, education and disability advocacy groups have signed a joint statement that calls for changes to NCLB:

"We endorse the use of an accountability system that helps ensure all children, including children of color, from low-income families, with disabilities, and of limited English proficiency, are prepared to be successful, participating members of our democracy... significant, constructive corrections are... necessary to make the Act fair and effective."

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) a co-sponsor of NCLB in 2001 and Chair of the Senate Education Committee, observes:

"The No Child Left Behind Act has never been fully funded, and states, local communities, and children are being constantly shortchanged. We intend to change that in the new Congress, because we have to.

The Act’s provisions are intended to close the achievement gap in the nation’s schools, but the reforms can’t succeed without adequate funding."

To help you quickly understand the complexities of reauthorizaton of the No Child Left Behind Act, I've simplified the issues for you at Pros & Cons of the No Child Left Behind Act.

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