NCLBNCLB No Child Left Behind (take notes, please)

What is it? Major education legislative passed at the federal level –Remember, education is traditionally a state and local responsibility Bipartisan effort –Effective 2002 Reauthorization and modification of “Elementary and Secondary Education Act”

Focus Standards-based reform Basic Idea: Setting high standards and measuring outcomes will improve school and student performance

How is this reform implemented? Annual standards-based testing –SOLs in Virginia Higher qualification standards for teachers –Degree or advanced degree in the core subject or –Major equivalent in the core subject (30 semester credits or the equivalent) or –Passing score on state-approved Praxis II exam in core content –Pass the State Performance Review and/or state-approved teaching program Annual progress report cards (AYP) –Based on test results and variety of other measures, including teacher qualifications Funding from a variety of levels –i.e. If your school measures well, it may be entitled to federal funds and educational subsidies

Success of NCLB Teachers actually teach content now! –Local standards have improved Students with disabilities (learning and physical) have showed higher graduation rates School Choice –If a school is not making AYP, then a student may have the choice to enroll in another school Test scores have improved in many districts

Critics Say… Deadline of 2014 for all schools to be up to standards is too soon “Teaching to the test” –How might “high stakes” testing be detrimental to students and/or teachers? Too much focus on reading, math, science –Funds being taken away from arts, music, electives

Critics Say… Schools like YHS making AYP? –What issues might you see with this?