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FYI: Public Response to No Child Left Behind
January 11, 2006
In 2004, PEN (The Public Education Network) conducted a series of hearings around the country and set up an online survey to collect input from the general public about the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
In its report: "Open to the Public: Speaking Out on No Child Left Behind", PEN noted that respondents:
- strongly supported the goals of the Act
- supported the disaggregation of data by subgroups because it "sheds light on the inequities often hidden by reports of overall school performance"
- were concerned about the "stigma" of labeling a school in need of improvement
- were concerned about blaming of students, particularly students with disabilities, for a school's failure to meet AYP.
Respondents also expressed concern over:
- the limits of testing
- the lowering of standards
- the standards for teacher quality
- the lack of information on how the mandates of NCLB are being met
- the unwillingness to involve parents or community organizations.
In response to these comments, PEN recommended that:
- the law's requirement for parental involvement be enforced
- the law's requirement for public information be enforced
- schools form partnerships with community based organizations
- states be held accountable for performance and enforcing the law
- schools receive AYP credits for making significant progress
- supplemental services be provided in Title I schools before requiring transfers
In 2005/2006, hearings were scheduled to be held in New York City, NY; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, Pa; Orlando, FL; Boston, MA; Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; Detroit, MI; and Memphis, TN. Following that the results will be given to the White House, Congress, and local policymakers to make the public's ideas and opinions known.
For more details, check the Public Education Network web site where you can also access the online NCLB survey.
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