In Case You Missed It: Building On The Values Of No Child Left Behind

This op-ed by Eric Smith has appeared in the Philippine Daily Mirror, The Compass (Claremont, NH), Free Press (Diboll, TX), Gilmer Mirror (Gilmer, TX), The Elburn Herald (Elburn, IL) and The Red Wing Republican Eagle (Red Wing, MN) The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Yet the law is still making the news, as several states are applying for waivers from the law. Some school officials have found it difficult to meet the law's standards requiring that every student — even those that are poor or in minority groups — make progress each year. NCLB might need some tinkering. As the discussion about re-authorization continues, it's vital for students and the future of this country that the core principles of accountability, transparency and equality be preserved. The George W. Bush Institute recently released ten "principles" that serve as guidance for state accountability. These principles show how to build on the foundation established by NCLB and then further improve the key areas of standards, student groups, parental choice, and college and career readiness. Read more here. Eric Smith is a fellow in Education Policy at the George W. Bush Institute.