The Politics of the No Child Left Behind Act
by Stuart Dunn

I find many areas to fault, and few to praise, in President George W. Bush's administration and legislative program. But one piece of legislation he passed which I believe is unfairly criticized is the No Child Left Behind Act. This legislation requires schools to shrink the test score gaps between white and minority students by 2014. Schools that don't improve or fail to meet minimal standards face restructuring or state takeover. The law requires annual statewide tests to evaluate student performance in grades three through eight, with scores broken down by race and income levels. It also requires that teachers have a degree in the subjects they teach. Teacher's unions and some politicians argue that too many schools will fail to make the grade; and that the law forces teachers to “teach to the test”, and therefore to neglect non-test topics like music and art. They also argue that the federal government has failed to adequately fund the act. They call for its repeal.

Few argue with the objective of shrinking the gap between white and minority students. Criticism of the details of the act has some merit. The federal government should provide adequate funding when mandating costly activities. Requiring teachers to know the subjects they teach is obvious, although requiring a degree in the subject may be too rigid. (The problem of recruiting trained math and science teachers is due primarily to the union contract requiring equal pay for all subject areas. It is clear that in today's competitive society math and science majors are more in demand, and therefore, require higher salaries, than physical education or English teachers.) The definition of a failing school probably needs improvement. However, the argument about teaching to the test—the major objection to testing—seems to me to be more a result of teachers not wanting to be evaluated than not wanting to teach to the test. If the tests realistically test what students should know in each grade then teaching to the test is hardly a valid criticism. If this leaves inadequate time to teach non-test subjects the fault lies with the curriculum, the principals and the teachers, not with the test requirement. It is time to stop complaining and get to work.

It has become standard for the Democratic presidential candidates to call for the repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act. Rarely do they offer detailed criticism, or constructive amendments. They just recite the mantra of repeal and their audiences shower them with approval. I believe these politicians are using their opposition to this act to pander for union support and that is very sad. We need nonpartisan support for education. Not long ago education was everyone's number one priority. Now it is down most people's list below the economy (jobs), national security, and Iraq. Not surprising, however, confusing the public on a program as important as raising minority education standards is not statesmanship, it is pure partisan politics.

The nation thirsts for a president who will be honest, fair, statesmanlike and responsible. The Democrats will not win this election unless they present a program, which demonstrates these qualities. Indiscriminately attacking the No Child Left Behind Act is not honest, fair or responsible. It is not too late to get it right.#