Source Note: “Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening The No Child Left Behind Act

February 23, 2009 in Research Project

Title: “Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening The No Child Left Behind Act“

Summary: The U.S. Department of Education believes NCLB should be strengthened to help close the achievement gap.

Topic: Should the Obama Administration reform the No Child Left Behind Act?
Category: Institutional; Government; Policy Brief

Publication Information: U.S. Department of Education, January 2007
Author: Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education
Location: Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Accessed: February 4th, 2009

Support:

• NAEP Trial Urban District Assessments: This subfocus group of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the federal government’s most important education research tool, has shown tremendous growth in the areas of reading and math under the No Child Left Behind Act. The Department of Education cites these results as evidence that No Child Left Behind is working.
• 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment: Ranked the U.S. 24th out of 29 developed nations in critical-thinking areas such as mathematics. The Department of Education cites this as motivation for strengthening the math proficiency requirements of No Child Left Behind.

Audience and Agenda: The Department of Education is responsible for oversight of all federal education law in the United States. The Secretary of Education is appointed by the President at the beginning of his first term in office, and their suitability must be confirmed by a vote of the U.S. Senate. The Department has been responsible for carrying out all federal responsibilities under the No Child Left Behind Act, operating in a decidedly nonpartisan capacity.

Usefulness: This policy brief is useful as an example of the common arguments made in defense of NCLB by its supporters in the federal government. It also shows how public education policy is created, through detailed policy proposals and specific examples of regulations in need of reform.

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