No Child Left Behind

The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into action in 2001 by President George W. Bush. NCLB requires that all schools provide increased accountability, more choices for parents and students, and greater flexibility for states, school districts, and schools, and that they put reading first. Increased accountability for teachers and school administrators is assessed mainly through standardized testing. Failure to meet adequate yearly progress goals can result in less funding for schools or even the school's closure. The Obama administration's "Race to the Top" is an education initiative that will provide $4.35 billion in federal grants to prod K-12 public school systems to make changes to "help prepare America’s students to graduate ready for college and career" as per white house.(White. D, 2014 para.1)   This program is considered to be very important because it's a test model for reforms that the Obama administration would like to implement to the NCLB which is mandatory for public schools K-12.

The pro's and con's that will come with education policy is an increased role of the federal government that education ensures equal education opportunities for all children across the country, so that they will be better prepared to compete globally. The federal government usually has a part in distributing funding to state and local school districts for specific needs, so there will be more consistency across the districts and states. The con's are education has always been a local and state issue. An increased role of the federal government will add to the number of unfunded federal mandates such as, laws passed with no monetary support. Decisions at the local level best serve the needs of students in the local area.

In order for this to be effective the policy must live and die by its name. No child should be left behind. Every child should be given an equal opportunity and the necessary resources to succeed at the highest level of education. No matter the race,...