Critics have blasted the “No Child Left Behind” education law for a variety of reasons. Of course, the strongest criticism of “No Child” is that our Constitution does not provide for the federal government to run education. Duties not delegated to Congress are reserved to the states and the people.
But it is a sad reality that Washington meddles in public education, so it is reasonable that No Child Left Behind attempts to impose accountability to ensure that students are learning. Unfortunately, the Obama administration is seeking legislation to weaken those standards in serious ways, including:
* Dropping the rule that students show grade-level proficiency in reading and math, and instead seeking assurances that students are “ready for college” when they graduate. College readiness is vital for many students, but those who are falling far behind their grade-level peers in reading and math have little hope to finish high school, much less be prepared for college.
* Letting schools use not only students’ performance in reading and math but in art, physical education, social studies and other subjects to prove the schools are making progress. A well-rounded education is certainly desirable, but students who cannot read or perform basic arithmetic will struggle to excel in other academic subjects. The focus on core subjects is appropriate, because they are the springboard to success in other pursuits.
* Partially replacing the heavy emphasis on actual test scores with less rigorous standards such as attendance rates and the “learning climate,” The New York Times reported. Tests are not a perfect measure of a student’s aptitude, but they are an extremely necessary, objective assessment of whether a student is really learning the subject matter.