NCLBA overview

Hey, this is eeyore here to give another post about the NCLBA. Now, like most programs there is obviously going to be a positive and a negative side (if there were no positive sides, it probably wouldn't be around).

On the positive side of things, Washington has been shown to be improving in areas such as the achievement gap. Records have shown that it has been closed by at least 4% between black and white people and 3% between hispanic and white. Test scores have been shown to be improving in other places as well. In New York, the improvements are even greater.

Unfortunately, there is also a seemingly much greater criticism for the plan. Teachers have stated that a large focus on testing is negligent to educating student about the arts, science, and other areas not covered. 2008 presidential candidates have for the most part, whether or not they agree with the actual bill, all agree that it could serve for some change.
In fact some schools are not even meeting it. Only about a third of the student in Florida last year met the program and states such as Oregon and Illinois have refused to comply with the law and therefore have lost money.

On a personal note, NCLBA appears to me to be, in theory, a good idea. But the way its been carried out thus far has, as the presidential candidates said, room for improvement. I feel, as someone who is going to major in music, that a lot of time is wasted on testing of other subjects. While true that we all need basic skills to succeed, I don't think it should interfere with class time the way it has been.