Source Note: “Standards, Accountability and Flexibility: Americans Speak on No Child Left Behind Reauthorization”

March 13, 2009 in Research Project

Title: “Standards, Accountability and Flexibility: Americans Speak on No Child Left Behind Reauthorization”

Summary: Presentation of survey results reveals conflicted public opinion of NCLB.

Topic: Should the Obama Administration reform the No Child Left Behind Act?

Category: Institutional; PowerPoint Presentation

Publication Information: Educational Testing Service (ETS), 6/07

Author: Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., and The Winston Group

Location: ETS.org

Accessed: March 12, 2009

Support:

• Graph of the general public’s attitude towards NCLB: 24% of those polled in 2007 had a “very unfavorable” opinion of NCLB, and 43% stated their views were “somewhat unfavorable.”
• Graph of general public’s knowledge of NCLB:  45% of the general public, and 47% of parents of K-12 students, reported knowing a fair amount about NCLB. 16% of the general public and 13% of parents of K-12 students reported knowing nothing at all about NCLB.

Audience and Agenda: ETS is a nonprofit organization that provides test development services and testing research to policy makers, school administrators, and teachers. ETS is also the largest provider of standardized testing services to public schools and government agencies. As ETS is a leader in the field of standardized assessments, their public opinion research is especially applicable to the issues surrounding No Child Left Behind.

Usefulness: The research conducted for the ETS presentation shows a major disconnect between policy makers and the voting public. The negative public perception and general lack of knowledge of No Child Left Behind makes this presentation useful support for the reform argument, as we can ascertain that a large part of noncompliance under NCLB’s requirements is primarily due to resentment and misunderstanding.

Works cited:

“ETS: Educational Testing Service – About,” http://www.ets.org/

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