Analysis of No Child Left Behind Act Ben, Eric & Shawn

No Child Left Behind Act “ Landmark in education reform designed to improve student achievement and change the culture of America's schools ” (District of Columbia Public Schools) Signed into law by President Bush on January 8th, 2002

Roadmap Motivation Government ’ s previous action No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act Enforcement & Penalty Pros & Cons Conclusion

Motivation of the Act Crisis in public education Rank 18 th in knowledge among 15-year-olds Rank behind –Iceland –Hungary –France –South Korea –Czech Republic –Slovak Republic …

Government ’ s Action Before the Act –Increase funding for public school –Double the money spent since 1980 –Effect: none

Government ’ s Action 2001 –No Child Left Behind Act To improve public education system 4 pillars –Demanding higher test scores –More discretion in spending federal dollar –Focus on scientifically proven education methods –Giving parents stronger voices

Enforcement (aka NCLB standard) Adequate progress on standard tests –Annual tests on Mathematics, Science & Reading –Goal: 100% passing rate in year 2014 Education requirements on teachers –Bachelor's degree –Full certification

Penalty for schools NOT meeting the standard For 2 years –Students attend nearby better school –School pays all transportation expenses For 3 years –Must provide “ supplemental education services ” For 4 years –School staff replaced & curriculum revamped For 5 years –Drastic action, Significant reconstruction, State takeover

Pros (1) Informing parents –Annual school reports w/ statistic on Test scores Teacher qualifications Drop rates –Parents informed about school quality

Pros (2) Higher standards –Standard & penalty system –Regardless of ethnic, income,background –No excuse for failure –Forcing schools to make progress –Clearly defined goal –Implementing proven teaching methods

Effect In the first 2 years –Standards are higher –Test score on the rise –Achievement gap closing In the future –Eliminating low quality schools

Cons (1) In rural area –Less financial support New teaching materials New curriculum –poor families Traditionally not perform well –Small school, inaccurate statistic

Cons (2) In newly developing communities –Class size increases –Insufficient class assistance –Diversified culture backgrounds –Schools not well-equipped

Cons (3) Teachers –Needed to adopt new teaching methods –Has to be highly qualified –Taking time and planning to adopt std –Workload increases

Conclusion Problem: –Current American students do not stand high in education globally NCLB Act –Attempts to fulfill the expectation Pros –Equal opportunity, higher test scores Cons –Consideration of rural communities