Copngress To Weigh 'No Child Left Behind"

Congress to Weigh 'No Child Left Behind'

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD (AP Education Writer)
From Associated Press

January 13, 2007 1:07 PM EST

WASHINGTON - The No Child Left Behind law was supposed to level the
playing field, promising students an equal education no matter where
they live or their background. From state to state, however, huge
differences remain in what students are expected to know and learn.

Each state sets its own standards for subjects such as reading and
math, then tests to see whether students meet those benchmarks. It's
a practice under increasing scrutiny as Congress prepares to review
the five-year-old law.

"Fourth-grade kids in the District of Columbia are learning different
math from kids across the (Potomac) river in Virginia. It's crazy.
Math is math," said Michael Petrilli, vice president for policy at
the Thomas Fordham Foundation, a Washington-based education reform
group.

The solution, say Petrilli and other advocates, means standards of
learning that are uniform nationwide.

Republicans generally have opposed national standards. GOP lawmakers
say state and local officials know what is best for their students
and as the primary funders of elementary and secondary education,
should have primary say in running schools.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has opposed national standards
but recently indicated she would consider voluntary ones. Spellings
said she would have strong reservations, however, about proposals
that would free states from the No Child Left Behind law's
requirements as a reward for raising standards.

Many Democrats, along with education reform and business groups, say
a patchwork of standards is inefficient. They also say students in
states with low standards will have trouble competing in the global
economy. Many other industrial nations have more stringent standards
than those in the U.S.

There are signs states are wrestling with the problem. Some are
talking about sharing tests and looking at benchmarks that would
identify the skills U.S. students should have when they finish high
school.

Advocates of national standards say the No Child Left Behind law is
encouraging states to set low standards so schools can avoid
consequences that come with missing annual progress goals.

Schools that miss those targets must take steps such as paying for
tutoring or overhauling staffs. All students have to be proficient,
which generally means working at grade level, in reading and math by
2014.

At least one state, Missouri, lowered its standards after the federal
law went into effect.

Gene Wilhoit, executive director of the Council of Chief State School
Officers, said it is understandable that some states would set low
standards. "They're trying to make sense out of this. They're trying < BR>to survive," he said.

Wilhoit said, however, that is seen as unfair that states with high
standards are treated the same as those with lower standards. He said
states willing to raise their standards to a high, possibly uniform,
level should be given regulatory relief and financial incentives.

Supporters of national standards point to the vast differences
between student performance on state tests compared with a rigorous
national one as evidence states are using weak standards.

A study by the Washington-based children's advocacy group EdTrust
showed 89 percent of fourth-graders in Mississippi were deemed
proficient or better in reading on recent state tests. Meanwhile,
only 18 percent reached that level on the National Assessment of
Educational Progress - the gold-standard of scholastic achievement in
the United States.

In Oklahoma, 75 percent of fourth-graders were proficient or better
in math on the state te st. On t he federal test, 29 percent met that
standard.

In Massachusetts - a state with relatively high standards - the gap
is narrower. Fifty percent of fourth graders were proficient in
reading on state tests, compared with 44 percent on the national test.

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy, chairman of the
committee overseeing education issues, has proposed legislation
generally encouraging states to raise their standards to a consistent
level, as has Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.

Dodd's legislation won the endorsement of the National Education
Association, the largest teacher's union.

"We know that we need to take a look at the rigor and the wide
diversity and range of content standards," NEA lobbyist Kim Anderson
said.

One bit of evidence that uniform standards are effective comes from
schools run by the Defense Department for military families.

Student scores at those schools, which operate outside t he No Chi ld
Left Behind law but which have uniform standards, are higher on the
national assessment than scores of other students, according to
Vanderbilt University researcher Claire Smrekar.

She said there are many reasons for that trend but that uniform
standards at the Defense Department schools play a role. "I would say
they provide clarity and consistency within the system," she said.

Among educators, there is a concern national standards would become
outdated and that changing them would be difficult and bureaucratic.

Brenda Dietrich, a superintendent in the Topeka, Kan., area, said she
has not formed an opinion on national standards, but does see a logic
to them.

"If we're all going to be held to a standard, it certainly would be
nice if it were the same standard," Dietrich said.

That is probably going to be the winning argument, says Michael
Dannenberg, who directs education policy at the Washington-based Ne w
Ameri ca Foundation, which recently held a forum on national
standards. "My view is that the country is on an inexorable march
toward national standards, and the question is not if but when and
how," he said.

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On the Net:

Education Department background on the law:
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml

Compare state standards: http://nclb.ecs.org/nclb/rpt_details.asp?
surveyfirsttwo


Eastern Jackson County School Districts Deserve
Credit for Perfect Academic Scores


Education surely will be a top priority for lawmakers again this year. However, Eastern Jackson County’s academic performance makes clear that our local communities are dedicated to giving students a first- rate education year in and year out. Several area districts received perfect scores on their annual accreditation reports, and everyone associated with these schools should be proud of the students, teachers and administrators who are performing so well.

The Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Lee’s Summit and Oak Grove school districts met 14 of 14 standards on Missouri’s Annual Performance Report. These standards include performance in the statewide Missouri Assessment Program as well as attendance, graduation rates, and the number of advanced-placement programs available.

This outstanding achievement has earned each district the Distinction in Performance Award, the state’s highest recognition for academic success. The award acknowledges superior accomplishment and district efforts to continually improve student achievement and academic programs. The Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit districts each have earned the award for six consecutive years, a rare achievement, and Grain Valley, Independence and Oak Grove also have earned the award in recent years.

These outstanding scores prove that the teachers and administrators in Eastern Jackson County are providing their students the best possible education. Additionally, these accomplishments show that students are taking advantage of the opportunities they’ve been given to prepare themselves for college and successful careers.

Congratulations to everyone affiliated with these excellent academic institutions, and I am proud to say I know the members of these districts are not resting on their accomplishments. Everyone working for these districts constantly pushes to improve the education of the children who walk through their doors.


If you have comments or questions about any matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by e-mail at matt_bartle@senate.mo.gov or by phone at (888) 711-9278.

-END-
Sent on behalf of:

Senator Matt Bartle
Missouri Senate
201 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806
matt_bartle@senate.state.mo.us
(888) 711-9278
www.senatormattbartle.org