As one of the hallmark pieces of education legislation passed by President George W. Bush, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 aimed to reform the American education system by giving schools standard and measurable goals that 100 percent of all students needed to meet. But, by promising to leave no child behind, did the act set its goals too far? Yesterday the White House announced that it was going to remove a key part of NCLB by offering waivers to states who would seek to exempt themselves from the law’s high bar.
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch, who is currently the research professor at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, talks about the downfalls of the law.
For an on the ground look at the NCLB’s effect in the classroom we speak with Mark Wilson, principal of Morgan County High School in Madison, GA.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!